Aortic Dissection

Acute aortic dissection remains a lethal but uncommon condition. Historically, Stanford type B dissections are managed with best medical therapy whereas Stanford type A dissections are surgically treated. In the last decade, worldwide evidence has been building that has questioned optimal treatment for the former. In this review, we discuss the general features of aortic dissection, the pathophysiology and risk factors, appropriate imaging to make a prompt diagnosis, and current treatment principles and methods. This review contains 82 references, 6 figures and 5 tables. Key words: aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, intramural hematoma, malperfusion syndrome, penetrating aortic ulcer, thoracoabdominal