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.

Keep reading to learn more about different types of aortic dissections now.