What is thoracic aortic dissection?
An aortic dissection is the most common disorder of the aorta that brings a patient to the emergency room. That’s often because there is severe pain associated with this disorder. The aorta is the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body and extends from the chest to the lower abdomen. Sometimes, with aging, high blood pressure, or other changes, a section of the aorta may weaken and tear. Tearing of the inner layers of the vessel walls allows blood to flow into the middle layer of the aorta, separating the inner and outer layers. This tearing is called a dissection. When the dissection occurs in the part of the aorta that runs through the chest, it’s called a thoracic aortic dissection. There are two types of thoracic aortic dissection: Type A dissection and Type B dissection. Type A dissection occurs in the area of the thoracic aorta just above the arteries that go to the heart. This type of dissection often requires surgery. Type B dissection invol
