Study note

Aortic dissection: mechanism and consequences

THE CONTEXT

Aortic dissection creates a false channel within the aortic wall and can compromise the aortic valve, aortic branches or surrounding spaces.

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A breach in the aortic wall allows arterial blood to enter the media and split it into two layers, creating a false lumen alongside the true lumen.

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The false lumen typically re-enters the true lumen, producing a double-barrelled aorta.

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The aortic valve may be damaged, and branches of the aorta may be compromised.

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Rupture into the left pleural space or pericardium may be fatal.

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Peak incidence occurs in the sixth and seventh decades.

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Dissection in younger patients is usually associated with Marfan syndrome, pregnancy or trauma.

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Men are affected twice as frequently as women.

NEETx

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