<unk>  <unk>  is a disruption of the medial layer of the aorta triggered by intramural bleeding. It is commonly due to an intimal tear that causes tracking of blood in a<unk>  plane within the media. Blood accumulation results in a separation of the aortic wall layers with ensuing formation of a true lumen and a false lumen with or without communication between the two.<unk>  is a medical emergency and can quickly lead to death if not treated urgently.  Patients classically present with abrupt onset of severe, knife-like chest (most common), back, or abdominal pain. Other important features that increases the probability of<unk>  include pulse deficits, systolic blood pressure differences between limbs, focal neurologic deficits, new aortic murmurs, shock, and a history of connective tissue disease and aortic valve disease. CT, MRI, or transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) may be used for the diagnosis<unk> , although CT is preferred because of it's speed, excellent sensitivity, and superiority in diagnosing arch vessel involvement. Serial imaging is recommended to monitor for progression of the<unk> . After excluding possible aortic regurgitation, intravenous beta-blockers should be initiated in all patients to reduce the systolic blood pressure (SBP) to 100 to 120 mmHg and controlling the heart rate, to minimize the shear stress on the aortic wall. Treatment depends on the anatomic location of the<unk>  and complications. Uncomplicated type B<unk> s should be treated medically whereas type A<unk> s and complicated type B<unk> s should be treated surgically. Complications of<unk>  include aortic regurgitation, myocardial ischaemia or infarction, pleural effusion, stroke, mesenteric ischemia, and acute kidney injury.
Aortic dissection
Aortic rupture
Coronary artery dissection
Acute aortic syndrome
Aortic intramural hematoma
Coronary artery fistula
Thoracic aortic aneurysm
Myocardial rupture