Learning Objectives
- Summarize the prevalence of and risk factors for aortic dissection
- Classify the different types of aortic dissections
- Explain the physiology of aortic dissections
- Maintain a high degree of suspicion for aortic dissections during differential diagnosis
- Treat aortic dissections appropriately, based on type
- Order appropriate imaging tests to confirm and/or rule out aortic dissections
Course Description
This course examines the risk factors for aortic dissection. It also encourages learners to maintain a high degree of suspicion when diagnosing patients to ensure that instances of aortic dissection are quickly recognized and treated.
Did You Know...
- Mortality is 40% on presentation of aortic dissection, plus 1–2% with each passing hour
- 39% of aortic dissection cases are only recognized >24 hours after admission—very late!—and 20–40% are diagnosed at autopsy
- Outcomes improve sharply with prompt surgery, falling to 15–20% mortality at one month and 45% at ten years
- Aortic dissection is survivable, but it requires rapid expert diagnosis and treatment.
Target Learners:
Average Completion Time:
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