An aortic dissection occurs when the inner layer of the aortic wall tears, allowing blood to rush into the inner lining behind the aortic wall. It is a medical emergency and can be caused by a variety of conditions, with high blood pressure being the biggest risk factor. Symptoms include extreme chest pain and cold sweats. Treatment includes medication to lower blood pressure and heart rate, as well as surgical procedures.
The aorta is the main artery that carries blood away from the heart. An aortic dissection is a condition in which the inner layer of the aortic wall opens up. When this happens, blood rushes into the inner lining behind the aortic wall, causing the cleavage to continue along the aorta. The blood in the artery is moving away from the heart and the split typically runs in the same direction.
Occasionally, the dissection will run toward the heart, rather than away from it. This is much less common because the tear will have to travel against the blood flow. Dissections that occur directly in the heart are more common in elderly patients.
As the aortic dissection develops, the tear in the inner wall of the aorta travels along the aorta and can even travel into arteries branching from the aorta. An aortic dissection is considered a medical emergency. Dissections are more common in men than in women and typically occur between the ages of 50 and 70.
Someone suffering from an aortic dissection will know immediately that something is wrong. They will experience extreme chest pain and break out in a cold sweat. The pain may be centralized in the front or back of the chest or may travel throughout the body as the dissection spreads. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should call an ambulance immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.
Once in the hospital, the patient suffering from aortic dissection will be given a variety of medications. You will be given medications to lower your blood pressure and heart rate. This will reduce the pressure on the arteries. Your doctor may choose to perform a surgical procedure to close the dissection or implant a stent to remove pressure from the artery.
There are a variety of conditions that can predispose someone to an aortic dissection. Congenital aortic valve problems, an aortic aneurysm, or a genetic disorder such as Marfan syndrome can all lead to the development of an aortic dissection. The single biggest risk factor for developing an aortic dissection is high blood pressure.
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