What is a Type 2 aortic dissection?

Type II – originates in the ascending aorta and is confined to it. Type III – originates in the descending aorta and rarely extends proximally, but will extend distally. It most often occurs in elderly patients with atherosclerosis and hypertension.

What are the classification of aortic dissection?

The DeBakey classification divides dissections into 3 types, as follows: Type I involves the ascending aorta, aortic arch, and descending aorta. Type II is confined to the ascending aorta. Type III is confined to the descending aorta distal to the left subclavian artery.

Which type of aortic dissection is most common?

The most common site of dissection is the first few centimeters of the ascending aorta, with 90% occurring within 10 cm of the aortic valve. The second most common site is just distal to the left subclavian artery.

How long can you live with an aortic dissection?

Although specific information about overall life expectancy after aortic dissection repair is not available, a recent study from the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection reported that about 85% of patients who have undergone successful repair of acute dissection involving the ascending aorta remain alive …

Which type of aortic dissection requires surgery?

A Type A aortic dissection is a medical emergency and requires surgery to repair the tear before further damage occurs.

What is the difference between Type A and Type B aortic dissection?

Aortic dissections are classified into two types: type B dissection involves a tear in the descending part of the aorta and may extend into the abdomen, whereas type A dissection develops in the ascending part of the aorta just as it branches off the heart.

What causes a dissected aorta?

Causes of dissection of the aorta. Although the exact cause of aortic dissections is unknown, doctors believe that high blood pressure is a contributing factor because it causes strain on the walls of your arteries.

What are signs of ruptured aorta?

Signs & Symptoms of Ruptured Aorta. Patient experiences tearing pain in the abdomen, back, flank or groin. Patient loses consciousness. Patient becomes hypotensive (low blood pressure) due to hypovolemic shock. Patient has tachycardia (rapid heart rate). Cyanosis which is bluish discoloration of the skin.

How do you tear your aorta?

In an aortic dissection, a small tear occurs in the tunica intima (the inside layer of the aortic wall in contact with blood). Blood can enter this tear and cause the intima layer to strip away from the media layer, in effect dividing the tissue layers of the aortic wall and forming a false channel, or lumen.

What is Type A dissection?

The two major types of aortic dissection, type A and type B, are defined by the location of the tear. Type A dissection is when the tear begins in the ascending aorta and progresses throughout the vessel, often extending as far as the arteries in the leg.