---
title: Acute Aortic Dissections
description: "Ethical concerns in varicose vein treatments: Over-prescription and patient trust. A call for patient-centric care. Learn more."
image: https://vascular.tcvcg.com/hubfs/Acute-Aortic-Dissections_doctor.jpg
---
The Vein Institute of New Jersey is considered one of the top vein centers in the world. [Visit The Vein Institute](https://www.veininstitutenj.com/)
[Patient Portal](https://gateway.aprima.com/portal/home/11101) [Careers](https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=01ac20b2-794f-4cd2-b641-85102eaee82c&ccId=19000101_000001&lang=en_US&selectedMenuKey=CareerCenter)
[](http://tcvcg.com/)
[973-759-9000](tel:9737599000) [Schedule Appointment](http://tcvcg.com/contact-us/scheduling-appointments/)
- [Contact Us](https://tcvcg.com/contact-us/)
- [Locations](https://tcvcg.com/contact-us/locations/)
- [Patient Forms](https://tcvcg.com/registration)
- [Scheduling Appointments](https://tcvcg.com/contact-us/scheduling-appointments/)
- [Hospital Consults](https://tcvcg.com/consult/)
- [Our Practice](https://tcvcg.com/our-practice/)
- - [Our Providers](https://tcvcg.com/our-practice/our-providers/)
- [Leadership & Integrity](https://tcvcg.com/our-practice/leadership-integrity/)
- [Noninvasive Vascular Laboratory](https://tcvcg.com/our-practice/noninvasive-vascular-laboratory/)
- [Vein Treatment Center](https://tcvcg.com/our-practice/vein-treatment-center/)
- [Hospital Affiliations](https://tcvcg.com/our-practice/hospital-affiliations/)
- - [Patient Testimonials](https://tcvcg.com/our-practice/patient-testimonials/)
- [Awards & Media](https://tcvcg.com/our-practice/awards-media/)
- [Vascular Clinical Trials](https://tcvcg.com/our-practice/vascular-clinical-trials/)
- [History](https://tcvcg.com/our-practice/history/)
- [Vascular Conditions](https://tcvcg.com/vascular-conditions/)
- - [Peripheral Artery Disease (“PAD”)](https://tcvcg.com/vascular-conditions/peripheral-artery-disease-pad/)
- [Carotid Artery Disease](https://tcvcg.com/vascular-conditions/carotid-artery-disease/)
- [Aortic Aneurysms](https://tcvcg.com/vascular-conditions/aortic-aneurysms/)
- - [Hemodialysis Access](https://tcvcg.com/vascular-conditions/hemodialysis-access/)
- [Vein Disease](https://tcvcg.com/vascular-conditions/vein-disease/)
- [TCVCG Vascular Screening](https://tcvcg.com/vascular-conditions/tcvcg-vascular-screening-program/)
- [Treatments](https://tcvcg.com/treatments/)
- - [Peripheral Artery Disease (“PAD”)](https://tcvcg.com/treatments/peripheral-artery-disease-pad/)
- [Carotid Artery Disease](https://tcvcg.com/treatments/causes-and-care-for-carotid-artery-disease/)
- [Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm](https://tcvcg.com/treatments/abdominal-aortic-aneurysm/)
- - [Dialysis Access Care](https://tcvcg.com/treatments/dialysis-access-care/)
- [Procedure Suite](https://tcvcg.com/treatments/procedure-suite/)
- [Vein Care](https://tcvcg.com/treatments/vein-care/)
- [Patient Info](https://tcvcg.com/patient-info/)
- - [Contact Us](https://tcvcg.com/contact-us/)
- [e-Book Library](https://tcvcg.com/e-book-library/)
- [Falls Prevention](https://tcvcg.com/tcvcg-falls-prevention-guide/)
- [Healthy Recipes](https://tcvcg.com/healthy-recipes/)
- [Insurance & Billing](https://tcvcg.com/patient-info/insurance-billing/)
- [Know Your Vascular Health](https://tcvcg.com/patient-info/know-your-vascular-health/)
- - [Leg Swelling Assessment](https://tcvcg.com/leg-swelling-assessment/)
- [Medical Record Request](https://tcvcg.com/medical-record-request/)
- [PAD Assessment](https://tcvcg.com/pad-assessment/)
- [Patient Forms](https://tcvcg.com/registration)
- [Second Opinions](https://tcvcg.com/what-you-should-know-about-second-opinions/)
- [Videos](https://tcvcg.com/patient-info/videos/)
- [Blog](https://vascular.tcvcg.com/blog/)
- [Contact Us](https://tcvcg.com/contact-us/)
- [Locations](https://tcvcg.com/contact-us/locations/)
- [Patient Forms](https://tcvcg.com/registration)
- [Scheduling Appointments](https://tcvcg.com/contact-us/scheduling-appointments/)
- [Hospital Consults](https://tcvcg.com/consult/)
- [Our Practice](https://tcvcg.com/our-practice/)
- - [Our Providers](https://tcvcg.com/our-practice/our-providers/)
- [Leadership & Integrity](https://tcvcg.com/our-practice/leadership-integrity/)
- [Noninvasive Vascular Laboratory](https://tcvcg.com/our-practice/noninvasive-vascular-laboratory/)
- [Vein Treatment Center](https://tcvcg.com/our-practice/vein-treatment-center/)
- [Hospital Affiliations](https://tcvcg.com/our-practice/hospital-affiliations/)
- - [Patient Testimonials](https://tcvcg.com/our-practice/patient-testimonials/)
- [Awards & Media](https://tcvcg.com/our-practice/awards-media/)
- [Vascular Clinical Trials](https://tcvcg.com/our-practice/vascular-clinical-trials/)
- [History](https://tcvcg.com/our-practice/history/)
- [Vascular Conditions](https://tcvcg.com/vascular-conditions/)
- - [Peripheral Artery Disease (“PAD”)](https://tcvcg.com/vascular-conditions/peripheral-artery-disease-pad/)
- [Carotid Artery Disease](https://tcvcg.com/vascular-conditions/carotid-artery-disease/)
- [Aortic Aneurysms](https://tcvcg.com/vascular-conditions/aortic-aneurysms/)
- - [Hemodialysis Access](https://tcvcg.com/vascular-conditions/hemodialysis-access/)
- [Vein Disease](https://tcvcg.com/vascular-conditions/vein-disease/)
- [TCVCG Vascular Screening](https://tcvcg.com/vascular-conditions/tcvcg-vascular-screening-program/)
- [Treatments](https://tcvcg.com/treatments/)
- - [Peripheral Artery Disease (“PAD”)](https://tcvcg.com/treatments/peripheral-artery-disease-pad/)
- [Carotid Artery Disease](https://tcvcg.com/treatments/causes-and-care-for-carotid-artery-disease/)
- [Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm](https://tcvcg.com/treatments/abdominal-aortic-aneurysm/)
- - [Dialysis Access Care](https://tcvcg.com/treatments/dialysis-access-care/)
- [Procedure Suite](https://tcvcg.com/treatments/procedure-suite/)
- [Vein Care](https://tcvcg.com/treatments/vein-care/)
- [Patient Info](https://tcvcg.com/patient-info/)
- - [Contact Us](https://tcvcg.com/contact-us/)
- [e-Book Library](https://tcvcg.com/e-book-library/)
- [Falls Prevention](https://tcvcg.com/tcvcg-falls-prevention-guide/)
- [Healthy Recipes](https://tcvcg.com/healthy-recipes/)
- [Insurance & Billing](https://tcvcg.com/patient-info/insurance-billing/)
- [Know Your Vascular Health](https://tcvcg.com/patient-info/know-your-vascular-health/)
- - [Leg Swelling Assessment](https://tcvcg.com/leg-swelling-assessment/)
- [Medical Record Request](https://tcvcg.com/medical-record-request/)
- [PAD Assessment](https://tcvcg.com/pad-assessment/)
- [Patient Forms](https://tcvcg.com/registration)
- [Second Opinions](https://tcvcg.com/what-you-should-know-about-second-opinions/)
- [Videos](https://tcvcg.com/patient-info/videos/)
- [Blog](https://vascular.tcvcg.com/blog/)
Menu
The Vein Institute of New Jersey is considered one of the top vein centers in the world. [Visit The Vein Institute](https://www.veininstitutenj.com/)
[Patient Portal](https://gateway.aprima.com/portal/home/11101) [Careers](https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=01ac20b2-794f-4cd2-b641-85102eaee82c&ccId=19000101_000001&lang=en_US&selectedMenuKey=CareerCenter)
[](http://tcvcg.com/)
[973-759-9000](tel:9737599000) [Schedule Appointment](http://tcvcg.com/contact-us/scheduling-appointments/)
- [Contact Us](https://tcvcg.com/contact-us/)
- [Locations](https://tcvcg.com/contact-us/locations/)
- [Patient Forms](https://tcvcg.com/registration)
- [Scheduling Appointments](https://tcvcg.com/contact-us/scheduling-appointments/)
- [Hospital Consults](https://tcvcg.com/consult/)
- [Our Practice](https://tcvcg.com/our-practice/)
- [Our Providers](https://tcvcg.com/our-practice/our-providers/)
- [Leadership & Integrity](https://tcvcg.com/our-practice/leadership-integrity/)
- [Noninvasive Vascular Laboratory](https://tcvcg.com/our-practice/noninvasive-vascular-laboratory/)
- [Vein Treatment Center](https://tcvcg.com/our-practice/vein-treatment-center/)
- [Hospital Affiliations](https://tcvcg.com/our-practice/hospital-affiliations/)
- [Patient Testimonials](https://tcvcg.com/our-practice/patient-testimonials/)
- [Awards & Media](https://tcvcg.com/our-practice/awards-media/)
- [Vascular Clinical Trials](https://tcvcg.com/our-practice/vascular-clinical-trials/)
- [History](https://tcvcg.com/our-practice/history/)
- [Vascular Conditions](https://tcvcg.com/vascular-conditions/)
- [Peripheral Artery Disease (“PAD”)](https://tcvcg.com/vascular-conditions/peripheral-artery-disease-pad/)
- [Carotid Artery Disease](https://tcvcg.com/vascular-conditions/carotid-artery-disease/)
- [Aortic Aneurysms](https://tcvcg.com/vascular-conditions/aortic-aneurysms/)
- [Hemodialysis Access](https://tcvcg.com/vascular-conditions/hemodialysis-access/)
- [Vein Disease](https://tcvcg.com/vascular-conditions/vein-disease/)
- [Free Vascular Screening](https://tcvcg.com/vascular-conditions/free-vascular-screening-program/)
- [Treatments](https://tcvcg.com/treatments/)
- [Peripheral Artery Disease (“PAD”)](https://tcvcg.com/treatments/peripheral-artery-disease-pad/)
- [Carotid Artery Disease](https://tcvcg.com/treatments/causes-and-care-for-carotid-artery-disease/)
- [Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm](https://tcvcg.com/treatments/abdominal-aortic-aneurysm/)
- [Dialysis Access Care](https://tcvcg.com/treatments/dialysis-access-care/)
- [Procedure Suite](https://tcvcg.com/treatments/procedure-suite/)
- [Vein Care](https://tcvcg.com/treatments/vein-care/)
- [Patient Info](https://tcvcg.com/patient-info/)
- [Contact Us](https://tcvcg.com/contact-us/)
- [e-Book Library](https://tcvcg.com/e-book-library/)
- [Falls Preventioin](https://tcvcg.com/tcvcg-falls-prevention-guide/)
- [Healthy Recipies](https://tcvcg.com/healthy-recipes/)
- [Insurance & Billing](https://tcvcg.com/patient-info/insurance-billing/)
- [Know Your Vascular Health](https://tcvcg.com/patient-info/know-your-vascular-health/)
- [Leg Swelling Score](https://tcvcg.com/leg-swelling-assessment/)
- [Medical Record Request](https://tcvcg.com/medical-record-request/)
- [PAD Assessment](https://tcvcg.com/pad-assessment/)
- [Patient Forms](https://tcvcg.com/registration)
- [Second Opinions](https://tcvcg.com/what-you-should-know-about-second-opinions/)
- [Videos](https://tcvcg.com/patient-info/videos/)
- [Blog](https://vascular.tcvcg.com/blog/)
- [Patient Portal](https://gateway.aprima.com/portal/home/11101)
- [Careers](https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=01ac20b2-794f-4cd2-b641-85102eaee82c&ccId=19000101_000001&lang=en_US&selectedMenuKey=CareerCenter)
-
-
## Acute Aortic Dissections
-
- [The Cardiovascular Care Group Blog](https://vascular.tcvcg.com/blog)
- Acute Aortic Dissections
Aug 25, 2023 11:57:18 AM Dr. Cindy Sturt, MD, FACS
Aortic dissections are one of the most catastrophic and life-threatening events affecting the aorta; this condition brings tens of thousands of Americans to the emergency room each year.
An aortic dissection results when a tear occurs within the inner layer of the aorta and blood escapes into the middle layer of the blood vessel. This false passage can travel along the length of the aorta and is known as the false lumen. Once the tear has begun, the high blood pressure will continue to perfuse the false lumen and expand this dissection forward and/or backward. Depending on the site of aortic tear, if it propagates backward, the damage can go on to involve the heart vessels and the valves, and if it propagates forward, the tear can affect other major branches of the aorta that perfuse the abdominal organs and lower extremities. As the false lumen expands, the blood supply through the true lumen can become choked off, resulting in organ malperfusion and complications including stroke, heart attack, congestive heart failure, kidney failure, paraplegia, and limb-threatening ischemia.
The majority of patients are between the ages of 50-80 years, although younger patients with hypertension or connective tissue disease are also at risk. Patients describe the pain associated with acute aortic dissection as “sharp” and “tearing,” often located in the chest and between the shoulder blades and can mimic symptoms of a heart attack.
## Classifying Dissections
In addition to aortic dissection, symptomatic conditions such as aortic intramural hematoma and aortic penetrating ulcer are generally classified as acute aortic syndromes and require immediate medical, endovascular, or surgical attention. Our understanding of aortic dissection has evolved over the past few decades; historically, treatment strategies were based on patient presentation and the timing of symptom onset. Dissections were classified as acute if symptoms occurred within 2 weeks, subacute for symptoms lasting between 2 and 6 weeks, and chronic if symptoms were present for more than 6 weeks. Recent evidence suggests that optimum treatment strategies should be based on not just the timing, but also the symptoms as well as the initial aortic morphologic findings noted on computed tomography (CT) scans.
Once aortic dissection is diagnosed, immediate medical treatment includes the use of anti-hypertensive drugs, vascular surgery, and possibly cardiac surgery consultation. The optimal management is directed toward identifying whether an aortic dissection is complicated or uncomplicated. Patients with complicated dissections present with organ malperfusion, refractory pain, or rupture, and they require immediate surgical or endovascular treatment. For the vast majority of patients in whom the aortic tear occurs in the descending thoracic aorta, endovascular repair is considered the “gold standard.” In patients with ascending thoracic involvement, surgical repair is preferred, albeit advances in techniques and technology will likely allow surgeons to treat many of the ascending thoracic aortic dissections by endovascular means as well.
For patients with uncomplicated dissections, the ideal mode of therapy—be it medical management or intervention—remains unclear. Our understanding is evolving, and this field is rapidly changing.
## Endovascular Solutions
Endovascular repair of aortic dissections requires the surgeon to gain remote access to the aorta through femoral arteries in the groin. Under x-ray guidance, the surgeon/operator navigates wires, catheters, and stentgrafts within the arteries and places the stentgraft strategically in healthy aorta above and below the dissections, thereby excluding blood flow within the torn false lumen. Adjunctive endovascular and hybrid surgical procedures are often required to maintain vital organ perfusion and thrombosis of the dissected aortic false lumen. The operating theater needs to be well equipped and the staff well trained.
These procedures are generally considered to be some of the most complex and require a detailed analysis of imaging, case planning, procedure implementation, and postoperative recovery. After endovascular repair, patients require lifelong follow-up with routine clinical evaluation and appropriate imaging to assess the integrity of the stentgraft, as well as to monitor for any development of future dissections or aneurysms.
## Predicting Outcomes
Research findings suggest that (1) persistent blood flow and patency of the false lumen are predictors of increased long-term patient mortality, (2) a false lumen diameter of > 22 mm is associated with increased future aneurysmal degeneration and mortality, (3) false lumen patency and maximum total aortic diameter of > 4 cm have the worst outcomes and the highest risk for future aneurysmal enlargement, (4) endovascular repair that leads to complete false lumen thrombosis has the best long-term prognosis, and (5) recurrent symptoms, thoracic aortic aneurysm dilatation of > 55 mm, or yearly increase of > 4 mm are predictors of worse outcomes and need repair.
Minimally invasive endovascular treatment strategies for aortic dissections have transformed how we manage patients with complicated and uncomplicated aortic dissections, leading to significant reductions in patient morbidity and mortality. Prompt diagnosis and mobilization of appropriate surgical teams, however, remain critical for optimum patient outcomes.
To learn more about Acute Aortic Dissections, [check out our other blogs](https://vascular.tcvcg.com/blog/tag/aneurysm).
[](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/6302898/6f573a69-415d-4436-b5b0-366ef20aa221)
This article is a V-AWARE Property. Center for Vascular Awareness, Inc. (www.myvascularhealth.org)
## Featured posts
### Categories
- [Aortic Aneurysms (11)](https://vascular.tcvcg.com/blog/tag/aortic-aneurysms)
- [Carotid Artery Disease (18)](https://vascular.tcvcg.com/blog/tag/carotid-artery-disease)
- [Health/Exercise (22)](https://vascular.tcvcg.com/blog/tag/health-exercise)
- [Hemodialysis (7)](https://vascular.tcvcg.com/blog/tag/hemodialysis)
- [Peripheral Artery Disease (23)](https://vascular.tcvcg.com/blog/tag/peripheral-artery-disease)
- [Travel (4)](https://vascular.tcvcg.com/blog/tag/travel)
- [Vascular Doctors/Staff (17)](https://vascular.tcvcg.com/blog/tag/vascular-doctors-staff)
- [Vascular Treatments (27)](https://vascular.tcvcg.com/blog/tag/vascular-treatments)
- [Vein Conditions (61)](https://vascular.tcvcg.com/blog/tag/vein-conditions)
- [Vein Treatments (47)](https://vascular.tcvcg.com/blog/tag/vein-treatments)
### Subscribe to TCVCG Health News
## Contact Us
#### To contact us or schedule an appointment call (973) 759-9000 or fill out the form below
The Cardiovascular Care Group has six (6) convenient office locations throughout New Jersey. If you should have any questions regarding our practice specialties, hospital affiliations, insurance & billing or you just have a general question about the practice, please do not hesitate to contact us.
[View Locations](https://tcvcg.com/contact-us/locations/)
 [Visit the Vein Institute of New Jersey](https://www.veininstitutenj.com/)
[](https://tcvcg.com/our-practice/noninvasive-vascular-laboratory/) [](https://tcvcg.com/our-practice/noninvasive-vascular-laboratory/) [](https://tcvcg.com/our-practice/leadership-integrity//) [](https://tcvcg.com/our-practice/leadership-integrity/)
[_2.jpg)](https://castleconnolly.com/)
### Testimonials
I cannot say enough good things – and I’ve been to a lot of doctors. The staff is so friendly an...
- D., Neptune
I have been coming to The Cardiovascular Care Group for nearly two decades! Initially with my Dad wh...
- A., Clark
[Read More](http://tcvcg.com/our-practice/patient-testimonials/)
©2021-2024, The Cardiovascular Care Group. All rights reserved. [Terms and Conditions](http://tcvcg.com/terms-and-conditions/) [Privacy Policy](http://tcvcg.com/privacy-policy-2/) [Non-Discrimination](https://www.tcvcg.com/non-discrimination-notice) [HIPAA Notice](https://tcvcg.com/hipaa-omnibus-notice-of-privacy-practices/)
All information on this site is of a general nature and is furnished for your knowledge and understanding only.
This information is not to be taken as medical or other health advice pertaining to your specific health and medical condition.