acute
Aortic dissection
dissection (AD) occurs when an injury to the innermost layer of the aorta allows blood to flow between the layers of the aortic wall, forcing the layers apart. In most cases, this is associated with a sudden onset of agonizing chest or back pain, often described as "tearing" in character. Vomiting, sweating, and lightheadedness may also occur. Damage to other organs may result from the decreased blood supply, such as , lower extremity , or mesenteric ischemia. Aortic dissection can quickly lead to death from insufficient blood flow to the heart or complete rupture of the aorta.
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Symptoms — what it feels like
- ·severe chest or back pain, vomiting, sweating, lightheadedness
How it's found
- ·Medical
Prevention
- ·Blood pressure control, not smoking
Treatment
- ·Depends on the type
Complications
- ·, mesenteric , myocardial ischemia, rupture
Outlook
- · without treatment 10% (type B), 50% (type A)
More in Blood Vessels
High blood pressure (hypertension)AtherosclerosisAneurysmDeep vein thrombosisPeripheral artery diseaseVaricose veinsVasculitisRaynaud's phenomenonLymphoedemaBuerger's diseaseAortic aneurysmThrombophlebitis
See all of Blood Vessels →Plain-language summary adapted from Wikipedia. Not medical advice.