What is an aortic dissection?
An aortic dissection results when a split occurs in the wall of the aorta, the main artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. A dissection allows blood to flow between the inner and outer layers of the aortic vessel, potentially blocking blood flow to vital organs such as the brain. A dissection also places the aortic wall at increased risk for rupture, creating an acute, life-threatening condition that can only be treated by immediate surgery. A dissection differs from an aortic aneurysm, which is a weak spot in the wall of the aorta and is more common.
