Guide To Aortic Dissection Types

Type B Aortic Dissection

Type B aortic dissection is a tear that starts in the descending aorta or second section of the aorta where blood is pushed down from the aortic arch. Type B aortic dissections produce painful sensations in the patient's stomach or abdomen that may or may not be accompanied by pain in the mid to lower back. Some individuals describe this pain as moving from the chest down to the legs. Type B aortic dissections may also present with weakness in the legs. Type B aortic dissections can result in a restriction of blood flow to some organs that include the intestines and or kidneys. This type of aortic dissection is diagnosed with a physical examination, blood tests, CT scans, and chest x-rays. Most cases of type B aortic dissection do not require emergency surgery and can be managed with certain types of medication and close monitoring. While the short term prognosis for patients affected by a type B aortic dissection is good, the long-term prognosis for this type is relatively poor in comparison to the long-term prognosis of individuals who had a type A aortic dissection that was treated immediately.

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Acute Or Chronic Aortic Dissection

Acute aortic dissection and chronic aortic dissection are terms used to classify both types of aortic dissections based on the onset and duration of the tearing process that occurs an individual's aorta. An acute aortic dissection is characterized by a dissection that immediately produces symptoms when it occurs. Sudden back and or chest pain are the symptoms that present most often in individuals with acute aortic dissection. Chronic aortic dissections produce symptoms that can be described as nonspecific and vague. General symptoms of a chronic aortic dissection may be easily overlooked until the patient experiences further complications. For an individual's aortic dissection to be considered chronic, the symptoms must be present for two weeks or longer. Chronic aortic dissections are typically monitored by a patient's physician using an MRI and or CT scans. Surgical interventions may be needed in cases where an individual experiences an aortic aneurysm or a blood clot that can exacerbate their existing aortic dissection.

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