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Technical
IVT
aortic dissection
Tear in the aortic wall creating a false lumen between arterial layers. Requires emergency surgical intervention in Type A cases.
Full Definition
A life-threatening condition where the inner layer of the aorta tears, allowing blood to flow between the layers and potentially causing complete rupture. Stanford Type A dissections involve the ascending aorta and require immediate surgical repair, while Type B dissections affect the descending aorta and may be managed medically or surgically. Surgical repair typically involves replacing the affected aortic segment with a synthetic graft.
Usage
Usage note: Always specify Stanford Type A or B classification in surgical contexts.
In Context
- "The patient presented with acute Type A aortic dissection requiring emergent surgical repair." — surgical case report
- "Intraoperative TEE confirmed the extent of the aortic dissection before graft placement." — operative note
Also known as
aortic tear
Don't confuse with
aortic aneurysm
aortic rupture