Elsevier

The Journal of Emergency Medicine

Volume 15, Issue 6, November–December 1997, Pages 859-867
The Journal of Emergency Medicine

Acute thoracic aortic dissection: The basics

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0736-4679(97)00196-0Get rights and content

Abstract

With an increasing incidence, aortic dissection is the most common acute illness of the aorta. In the setting of chronic hypertension, with or without other risk factors for aortic dissection, this diagnosis should be considered a diagnostic possibility in patients presenting to the emergency department with acute chest or back pain. Left untreated, about 75% of patients with dissections involving the ascending aorta die within 2 weeks of an acute episode. But with successful initial therapy, the 5-year survival rate increases to 75%. Hence, timely recognition of this disease entity coupled with urgent and appropriate management is the key to a successful outcome in a majority of the patients. This article reviews acute thoracic aortic dissection, including ED diagnosis and management.

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