pathophysiology
Last reviewed 07/2023
Aortic dissection can occur as a result of
- a tear in the intima and subsequent propagation of blood in the media - more common
- intramural haemorrhage and haematoma formation in the media followed by perforation of the intima (1)
Aortic dissections are seen
- along the greater curvature of the aorta (usually within 10 cm of the aortic valve) - in majority of dissections
- in the descending thoracic aorta immediately distal to the origin of the left subclavian artery - the next most commonest site (1)
Presence of an intimal flap is the characteristic of aortic dissection (1).
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