What is dissecting aortic aneurysm?
The Philippine Star 04/10/2007 The aorta is composed of three layers and aortic dissections occur when the layers separate the way plywood will separate if left out in the weather. When this occurs, patients typically experience severe pain in the chest or back. This most frequently sends patients to the emergency room where the diagnosis may be made. Dissections may involve the ascending aorta, the descending thoracic and abdominal aorta, or the entire aorta. The risk of death depends on the extent of the dissection or rupture. The risk is highest for those aneurysms involving the ascending aorta. For this reason, most of these aneurysms are treated surgically as an emergency. Dissections of the descending thoracic aorta can often be treated with blood pressure control. The medical treatment of aortic dissection includes aggressive control of blood pressure and heart rate while the aorta heals. The risk of death with medical treatment of descending thoracic aortic dissection is about
