The aorta is the large artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Anatomically, it arches over the heart, down the back of the chest cavity, into the abdomen. Though the wall of the aorta is thick, a tear may occur in the wall. Tears generally start from the inside and burrow downward. A tear in the aorta is called an aortic dissection. Aortic dissections are classified into two types, based on the location of the tear: If the tear is high in the aorta (ascending aorta and the arch) it is called Type A; lower (descending aorta), it is called Type B.
Sudden onset of severe chest pain
Pain radiates down arms or into neck
Sweating
Loss of consciousness
Shortness of breath
Weakness
Ripping/tearing pain in the back or chest
A tear in the internal layer of the aorta that extends down the wall, creating a false lumen.
Electrocardiogram may show left ventricular hypertrophy. It may show myocardial ischemia (decreased blood to heart) if dissection extends into coronary blood vessels.
Imaging:
Chest X-Rays show abnormal aortic contour or widened mediastinum (center cavity of chest) -- a widened area where the aorta is normally narrower
One of the major causes of aortic dissection is untreated High Blood Pressure. Proper monitoring and use of blood pressure medications will prevent aortic dissection in most cases.
