Aortic Dissection

Aortic dissections occur when blood splays apart the media creating a blood-filled space between the layers of the media. If the dissection pierces the adventitia, blood hemorrhages into space adjacent to the aorta with dire consequences. In some cases, the blood-filled space in the media will reconnect with the lumen of the aorta to create a new false channel. Dissections usually start with a tear in the intima, allowing blood to penetrate into the laminar layers of the media. Potential causes of aortic dissections include hypertension and Marfan's syndrome.