aortic dissection Flashcards
does aortic dissection affect males more or female
males
what is the most common emergency affecting the aorta
aortic dissection
what age is common presentation of aortic dissection
50 - 70
pathology of aortic dissection
- Results from a tear in the intima
- Blood flowing into media is under high pressure which creates a false lumen in the diseased media and splits it
- Leads to occlusion of the branches of the aorta
classification of aortic dissection
Type A – involves ascending aorta (most common)
Type B – doesn’t involve ascending aorta
causes of aortic dissection
Chronic hypertension - Pregnancy
Connective tissue disorders – Marfan’s, Ehlers-Danlos
Aneurysms
Infection
Atherosclerosis
Trauma – shearing stresses in RTA
symptoms of aortic dissection
Abrupt onset of severe, tearing central chest pain radiating to back and down arms
signs of aortic dissection
Absent peripheral pulses
Unequal BP in left and right arm
Neurological signs due to involvement of branch arteries
Aortic regurgitation, cardiac tamponade
Compression of other arteries – renal, subclavian
investigations for aortic dissection
CT/MRI angiography confirms diagnosis – contraindicated in patients with renal disease
CXR – shows widened mediastinum/aorta
Transoesophageal echocardiogram
treatment for type a aortic dissection
surgical repair of ascending aortic dissection
treatment for type b aortic dissection
Surgical repair of descending aortic dissection
Anti-hypertensives to control BP