AORTIC DISSECTION – WHO IS AFFECTED BY DISSECTION? HOW SERIOUS IS DISSECTION?Who Is Affected by Dissection? Dissection of the aorta is two to three times more common in men than in women. It usually occurs between ages 40 and 70 years.How Serious Is Dissection? This condition is often fatal if the blood erupts outside the aorta. The dissection can extend into or block branch vessels of the aorta, such as the carotid arteries to the brain and arteries to the arms, kidneys, legs, or spinal cord. The result is decreased or absent blood flow to these organs. Dissection of the aorta may require urgent surgery, depending on the areas of the aorta that are involved. Even before surgery, though, the first goals of management are to reduce blood pressure to the lowest acceptable level and to determine the portion of the aorta involved by the tear.The aorta may be ruptured in crushing injuries or with sudden deceleration such as in automobile accidents or falls. With sudden deceleration, aortic rupture usually occurs in the chest and is usually fatal. Aortic injury due to penetrating wounds usually results in life-threatening hemorrhage (bleeding).*199\252\8*
AORTIC DISSECTION – WHO IS AFFECTED BY DISSECTION? HOW SERIOUS IS DISSECTION?
Who Is Affected by Dissection? Dissection of the aorta is two to three times more common in men than in women. It usually occurs between ages 40 and 70 years.
How Serious Is Dissection? This condition is often fatal if the blood erupts outside the aorta. The dissection can extend into or block branch vessels of the aorta, such as the carotid arteries to the brain and arteries to the arms, kidneys, legs, or spinal cord. The result is decreased or absent blood flow to these organs. Dissection of the aorta may require urgent surgery, depending on the areas of the aorta that are involved. Even before surgery, though, the first goals of management are to reduce blood pressure to the lowest acceptable level and to determine the portion of the aorta involved by the tear.
The aorta may be ruptured in crushing injuries or with sudden deceleration such as in automobile accidents or falls. With sudden deceleration, aortic rupture usually occurs in the chest and is usually fatal. Aortic injury due to penetrating wounds usually results in life-threatening hemorrhage (bleeding).
*199\252\8*
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.