What is aortic dissection?

• Blood violates aortic intimal and adventitial layers • False lumen is created • Dissection may extend proximally, distally, or in both directions Effects on aortic root Aortic valve and Coronary arteries flails Classifications: • DeBakey and co-workers classification - Type I: The intimal tear occurs in the ascending aorta but which involves the descending aorta as well. (60%) - Type II: The dissection is limited to the ascending aorta. (10-15%) - Type III: The tear is located in the descending thoracic aorta (25-30%)