Aortic Dissection

What is aortic dissection?

Your aorta is the main artery that carries oxygen-rich blood away from your heart to the rest of your body. The wall of your aorta is made up of three tissue layers — an inner layer (intima), middle layer (media) and outer layer (adventitia).

An aortic dissection begins abruptly when a tear occurs in the inner layer of a weakened area of your aorta. Blood surges through the tear, causing the inner and middle layers to separate (“dissect”). As diverted blood flows between the tissue layers, the normal blood flow to parts of your body may be slowed or stopped, or the aorta may rupture completely.

Aortic dissection is a life-threatening condition that can cause sudden death if it is not recognized and quickly treated.

Aortic dissection is a separation between the inner and middle layers of the aortic artery wall. Blood pours through a tear in the inner layer, causing a bulge and weakness in that area of the aortic artery.

Where is the aorta?

The aorta runs throughout your torso. It begins at the main pumping chamber of your heart (the left ventricle), extends up through the front middle of your chest, arches from front to back under the base of your neck, then travels downward along the front of your spine — through your chest (thoracic aorta) and abdomen (abdominal aorta) — before branching just below your navel to two other arteries called the right and left common iliac arteries.

Are there different types of aortic dissection?

There are two main types:

• Stanford Type A Aortic Dissection: This type of dissection occurs in the first part of the aorta, closer to the heart, and can be immediately life-threatening. It usually requires emergency open chest surgery to repair or replace the first segment of the aorta where the tear started (ascending aorta +/- the arch and/or aortic valve). This is a more common type of dissection than Type B, and the dissection of the aorta usually extends through the entire length of the aorta.
• Stanford Type B Aortic Dissection: This type of tear begins farther down the aorta (descending aorta beyond the arch), and farther from the heart. Like the type A dissection, this usually extends from the descending aorta into the abdominal segment (abdominal aorta), but doesn’t involve the first part of the aorta in the front of the chest. Surgery may or may not be needed immediately, depending on exactly where the dissection is located and if it is or isn’t cutting off blood flow to your organs. These operations usually can be performed with a stent-graft device inserted into the aorta.

Another classification system (DeBakey Classification) defines dissection by three types. Type 1 originates in the ascending aorta and extends through the downstream aorta. Type 2 originates and is limited to the ascending aorta (both would be considered Stanford Type A). Type 3 originates in the descending aorta and extends downward (similar to Type B).

What’s the difference between aortic aneurysm, aortic rupture and aortic dissection?

An aortic aneurysm is a bulge — like a bubble or a balloon — in a weakened area of the wall of the aorta or across an entire segment of the aorta. Aortic aneurysm can lead to aortic rupture and aortic dissection.

An aortic rupture is a complete tear through all three layers of the aorta — like a rip or a hole — in the wall of the aorta. Blood bursts through the hole into the surrounding body cavity.

An aortic dissection is a tear in the inner aortic layer that allows blood to enter and further separate the inner and middle layers of the wall of the aorta and typically extends over a long length of the aorta in either direction and may extend into branch vessels originating from the aorta.

What are the signs and symptoms of aortic dissection?

The most common characteristic of aortic dissection is its abrupt start. It can happen at any time, while doing anything, or at rest or when you’re sleeping.

Common signs and symptoms include:

• Sudden severe, sharp pain in your chest or upper back; also described as a tearing, stabbing or ripping feeling.
• Shortness of breath.
• Fainting or dizziness.
• Low blood pressure; high suspicion when there’s a 20 mmHg pressure difference between arms.
• Diastolic heart murmur, muffled heart sounds.
• Rapid weak pulse.
• Heavy sweating.
• Confusion.
• Loss of vision.
• Stroke symptoms, including weakness or paralysis on one side of your body, trouble talking.

Aortic dissection is life-threatening. About 40% of patients die immediately from complete rupture and bleeding out from the aorta. The risk of dying can be as high as 1% to 3% per hour until the patient gets treatment. If you have symptoms of aortic dissection, severe chest pain, or symptoms of a stroke, call 911 or seek emergency care. When the diagnosis is made, you may be transferred by a critical care transport team to a referral center with the expertise to manage these complex conditions.

What causes aortic dissection?

Aortic dissection happens because there is an underlying, slow breakdown of the cells that make up the walls of your aorta. The breakdown has likely been going on silently for many years before the weakened area of the aortic wall finally gives way, resulting in a tear, which leads to the aortic dissection.

Why does the aortic wall weaken in some people and not others? It’s believed that most aortic dissections are caused by an underlying vulnerability that may be inherited. In others, the stress to the aortic wall from constant high blood pressure can weaken the aorta wall in susceptible people, resulting in a tear and dissection.

Aortic dissection in the ascending aorta (the section closest to the heart where the pressure is the highest) is nearly two times more common than those that occur in the descending aorta. Tears in the aorta typically occur in areas where the stress on the wall of the aorta is highest.

What factors can increase the risk of developing aortic dissection?

Factors that can increase your risk for developing aortic dissection include:

• Ongoing high blood pressure (hypertension). This is the most important risk factor. High blood pressure causes direct damage to the layers of aortic tissue, causing loss of elastic fibers, breakdown of the wall structure and increased wall stiffness.
• Atherosclerosis (or buildup of plaque in the arteries)/high cholesterol and smoking.
• Aortic aneurysm. This is an abnormal enlargement or bulge in the aortic wall.
• Aortic valve disease.
• Congenital (“born with”) heart conditions like a bicuspid aortic valve (has two leaflets instead of the normal three) or Turner syndrome.
• Connective tissue disorders, such as Marfan syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. These are genetically linked problems that can be passed down to family members.
• Other hereditary thoracic aortic conditions that primarily affect the aorta that are also genetically caused.
• Family history of aortic dissection.
• Vasculitis, specifically aortitis. This inflammatory disease affects the body’s blood vessels.
• Traumatic injury to the chest (e.g., after a high-speed car crash or serious fall from a height of > 20 feet).
• Age between 50 and 65 years. The aortic wall loses its elasticity with age.
• Being pregnant and having high blood pressure during delivery.
• Activities that extend periods of high blood pressure, such as cocaine or amphetamine use.
• Strenuous powerlifting may increase the speed of development of aneurysms or dissection in susceptible people.

What complications can result from aortic dissection?

Aortic dissection can lead to:

• Stroke.
• Aortic valve damage.
• Damage to internal organs.
• Fluid buildup between the heart muscle itself and the sac covering the heart. This condition, called cardiac tamponade, puts pressure on the heart and prevents it from working properly.
• Death.

How is aortic dissection diagnosed?

Aortic dissection must be diagnosed quickly, in case immediate surgery is needed. The healthcare team needs to determine if you have aortic dissection or other health conditions, such as heart attack and stroke, which produce similar symptoms. Tests that may be ordered include:

• Chest X-ray: This test uses a small amount of radiation to create an image of the structures within your chest, including your heart, lungs, blood vessels (including the aorta) and bones. This test is not very specific but is quick and may direct the diagnosis.
• Computed tomography (CT) scan: This test provides the best view of the aorta during an emergency and can be performed rather quickly to look for aneurysm or dissection. For aortic imaging, intravenous (IV) contrast may be needed.
• Transthoracic echocardiogram: This test uses ultrasound to provide moving pictures of your heart valves and chambers and the first portion of the aorta (the aortic root).
• Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE): This test shows more detailed pictures of your heart valves and chambers than a transthoracic echocardiogram and better views of your thoracic aorta. The ultrasound probe is placed through your mouth into your esophagus, which runs directly behind your heart and in from of your descending aorta.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This test uses a large magnet and radio waves to produce detailed images of your organs and the structures inside your body, including your aorta. It provides moving pictures of your heart valves and chambers and blood flow through your aorta. This test may take more time to perform than a typical CT scan and so is less often used in emergencies.

How is aortic dissection treated?

Treatment of aortic dissection depends upon the location of the tear and dissection. Immediate surgery is needed for Type A aortic dissection (i.e., when it involves the first part of the aorta close to the heart). Type B aortic dissection requires emergency surgery if the dissection cuts off blood flow to your vital organs including your kidneys, intestines, legs or even your spinal cord. Urgent surgery is needed if there are certain high-risk features noted on CT scan imaging. Less severe cases may be treated with medication initially, delaying surgery until complications develop.

Surgery and Endovascular Treatment

Surgical options include:

• Graft replacement: With this approach, a portion of the damaged section of the aorta is removed and a synthetic fabric tube (graft) is sewn directly in its place.
• Endovascular stent-graft repair: With this approach, a stent graft — a synthetic fabric tube supported by metal wire stents (like a scaffold) — is used to repair the aorta from within. Endovascular surgery involves making the repair inside your aorta. A small incision is made in your groin and a catheter, with the fabric-lined stent attached, is delivered and deployed into the aorta under x-ray guidance. At the repair site, the stent graft is released and — like a spring or umbrella — opens up, relining and providing reinforcement to the weak area in the aorta.
• Hybrid approach: With this approach, a combination of conventional open surgery and endovascular stent-graft technique is used to repair the aorta. This is used when the repair must extend into the aortic arch where branch vessels to the brain and arms arise. This may be performed during the emergency operation for Type A dissection or as a two-stage repair with a bypass from a vessel in the neck to help set up an endovascular repair for Type B dissection. One of the most common hybrid procedures is called the “elephant trunk” or “frozen elephant trunk” procedure. First, the segment of the aorta close to the heart as well as the aortic arch (the segment of the aorta that supplies blood to the brain) is replaced and repaired. An additional graft, or stent graft, is left hanging into the descending aorta, like the trunk of an elephant. The graft is ready to receive the endovascularly placed stent-graft when the second surgery is performed.

Medications

Medications, such as beta blockers, may be prescribed to lower heart rate and blood pressure. In some Type B aortic dissection cases, medication alone may be used to treat the dissection initially. Surgery may be able to be delayed for months to years depending on the severity of the tear and extent of dissection.

Can aortic dissection be prevented?

Many of the factors that increase the risk of developing aortic dissection can’t be changed, such as being born with certain heart conditions, connective tissue disorders, or genetic triggers associated with having a family history of aortic dissection. However, like many other medical diseases and conditions, you can decrease some of your risks by changing the risk factors that can be modified. These risks include:

• Lowering high blood pressure to the goal of 120/80 mm/Hg with medication, dietary changes and other measures recommended by your healthcare provider.
• Quitting smoking/using tobacco products and maintaining a healthy weight.
• Wearing your seat belt to prevent injury to your chest in case of an accident.
• Seeing your provider for regularly scheduled check-ups and any other times you experience a change in your health.

It’s important for first-degree relatives of a person who has had an aortic dissection to be screened for their risk of aortic disease. They can be closely followed and treated before an aortic event occurs.

What outcome should I expect if I’d been diagnosed with aortic dissection?

Aortic dissection can be a life-threatening event. People who have acute aortic dissection (sudden onset, Type A) have a high death rate. On average, 15% to 30% of people die after reaching the emergency room even after surgery. People who survive the acute phase are usually left with a chronic dissection remaining in the untreated portions of their aorta that may require later treatment. With modern advances in care, the prognosis in the chronic phase is improving, but life expectancy for people with aortic dissection is shortened compared to the general population.

What will my life look like if I have aortic dissection?

Every person who survives aortic dissection — even if they didn’t have surgery — needs to be seen at regular intervals (usually every three to 12 months) for follow-up imaging. Imaging allows changes to be caught that can then be acted upon in a safe and timely manner.

Blood pressure medicine, usually beta-blockers, will be prescribed to control your blood pressure and heart rate. You’ll need to take them for the rest of your life. Sometimes more than one blood pressure medication may be needed. If you can’t tolerate these medications, other blood pressure drugs can be used.

Aerobic exercises — such as walking, biking and swimming — may be encouraged. But you’ll need to avoid activities, such as heavy weight lifting (e.g., > half your body weight), which can increase blood pressure and put added stress on your aorta.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Acute aortic dissection is a medical emergency. If you have symptoms of aortic dissection, call 911. You may need immediate surgery to repair a segment of your aorta. If your dissection is not severe or immediately life-threatening, you may not need surgery right away but will likely need close monitoring in a hospital setting and will likely need surgery at a later time.

If you’ve been diagnosed with aortic dissection, you’ll need to keep your blood pressure under control and will need repeat imaging with CT or MRI to monitor the condition of your aorta. Take your medications and follow all instructions given to you by your healthcare provider. Be sure to keep all your follow-up appointments. It’s critical that your condition is checked for changes on a regularly scheduled basis as determined by your aorta specialist (i.e., cardiologist, vascular surgeon, and/or cardiac surgeon).