Rapid Diagnosis of Acute Type A Aortic Dissection Through Multimodality Imaging
Aortic dissection is described as a tear in the inner smooth muscle layer of the aorta. It can be categorized into 2 types depending on which portion of the aorta is involved. Type A aortic dissections (TAADs) involve the ascending aorta and are the most common and dangerous type. These dissections typically present acutely in patients and involve more serious symptomology on presentation, such as dyspnea and sudden severe chest pain. This type is more often treated surgically. Complications include cardiac tamponade, acute severe aortic regurgitation (AR) leading to heart failure or shock, and acute coronary syndrome secondary to extension of the dissection into the coronary arteries, with all of these conditions being potentially fatal.