Acute aortic dissection (AD) involves the ascending aorta in approximately two-thirds of patients.1,2 Chest pain is the most common feature, but clinical presentation can be varied, and algorithms have been developed to facilitate timely diagnosis.3,4 Nevertheless, delays in diagnosis comes at a severe cost to the patient.5 The complications of AD that involve the ascending aorta have been known for well over 60 years and include aortic rupture, cardiac tamponade, aortic regurgitation (AR), and organ malperfusion.
Acute aortic dissection (AD) involves the ascending aorta in approximately two-thirds of patients.1,2 Chest pain is the most common feature, but clinical presentation can be varied, and algorithms have been developed to facilitate timely diagnosis.3,4 Nevertheless, delays in diagnosis comes at a severe cost to the patient.5 The complications of AD that involve the ascending aorta have been known for well over 60 years and include aortic rupture, cardiac tamponade, aortic regurgitation (AR), and organ malperfusion.