Aortic Dissection Flashcards
What is aortic dissection?
A tear in the intimal layer of the aorta which leads to a collection of blood between the intima and medial layers
What happens in an aortic dissection?
Blood passes through the media as a false lumen, causing ischaemia of supplied regions
What are risk factors for an aortic dissection?
HTN, trauma, vasculitis, cocaine use, connective tissue disorders
How does an aortic dissection present?
Sudden and severe tearing pain in chest radiating to back, hypotension, asymmetrical blood pressure, syncope
How is aortic dissection investigated?
ECG, chest X-ray, CT
What is the gold standard investigation?
CT imaging
How do you manage aortic dissection?
Maintain haemodynamic stability, opioid analgesia for pain control, surgical intervention, antihypertensives after surgery
How do you maintain haemodynamic stability?
Fluid resuscitation, inotropes, noradrenaline
What surgical intervention is done?
Endovascular stent-graft repair
