Diagnostic Imaging in the Evaluation of Suspected Aortic Dissection -- Old Standards and New Directions

Abstract

Acute aortic dissection is a life-threatening condition, and its prompt diagnosis remains essential for successful management. Although early mortality may be as high as 1 percent per hour¹ among untreated patients, survival can be improved by the rapid institution of appropriate medical or surgical therapy (or both). The Stanford classification system² divides aortic dissections anatomically into two types on the basis of location. A dissection in which there is involvement of the ascending aorta, regardless of the site of entry, is defined as type A (this includes De Bakey³ types I and II and is often described as a proximal . . .