Aortic dissection is a serious, life-threatening condition involving a tear in the inner lining of the aorta, the body's main artery!
A dissection is defined as a tear in the inner layer of the blood vessel, which allows blood to enter the middle layer and creates false channels of varying length between the layers (delamination). These false channels may clot or form a permanent channel with continuous blood flow.
As the dissection extends, it can damage the aortic valve (and obstruct blood flow). This can result in ischemic complications affecting the heart, brain, spinal cord and internal organs.
Today, endovascular methods are used alongside surgery to treat this condition. Aortic dissection is now treated with a hybrid approach. The hybrid approach combines classic surgery with endovascular procedures: smaller open operations are combined with closed endovascular procedures.
This makes it possible to avoid major open operations and their complications. At the same time, this method helps prevent blood loss and additional trauma.
Information on this site is general and does not replace an examination by a doctor.