Aortic dissections are associated with high morbidity and mortality and thus are important diagnoses to consider, as delaying diagnosis can have drastic consequences. Emergency physicians should consider dissection in patients with the classic presentation of tearing chest and/or back pain but should also be aware that its presentation can be varied based on the location of the dissection. This review summarizes the pathophysiology, presentation, stabilization and assessment, diagnosis, treatment, disposition, and outcomes for patients with aortic dissection.
This review contains 6 figures, 2 tables, 1 video, and 78 references.
Key Words: aortic dissection, ascending aortic dissection, descending aortic dissection, intimal tear, intramural hematoma
