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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staff
An aortic dissection occurs in a weakened area of the aortic wall. Chronic high blood pressure may stress the aortic tissue, making it more susceptible to tearing. You can also inherit a condition associated with a weakened and enlarged aorta, such as Marfan syndrome. Rarely, aortic dissections may be caused by traumatic injury to the chest area, such as during motor vehicle accidents.
Aortic dissections are divided into two groups depending on which part of the aorta is affected:
- Type A. This is the more common and dangerous type of aortic dissection. It involves a tear in the ascending portion of the aorta just where it exits the heart or a tear extending from the ascending portion down to the descending portion of the aorta, which may extend into the abdomen.
- Type B. This type involves a tear in the descending aorta only, which may also extend into the abdomen.
- Rapp JH, et al. Blood vessel & lymphatic disorders. In: McPhee SJ, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment. 48th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=777652. Accessed Sept. 4, 2009.
- Austin JJ. Aortic dissection. In: Hall JB, et al. Principles of Critical Care. 3rd ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2005. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2286477. Accessed Sept. 4, 2009.
- Manning WJ. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of aortic dissection. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 18, 2009.
- Creager MA, et al. Diseases of the aorta. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2880207. Accessed Sept. 4, 2009.
- Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Genetics Home Reference. http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=ehlersdanlossyndrome. Accessed Sept. 4, 2009.
- ABCs of preventing heart disease, stroke and heart attack. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3035374. Accessed Sept. 4, 2009.
- Grogan M (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Rochester, Minn. Sept. 15, 2009.
