What is aortic dissection and how is it treated?

Aortic dissection is a cardiovascular emergency, referring to a condition where blood from the aortic lumen enters the medial layer of the aorta through a tear, causing separation of the medial layer and resulting in a double-layered state of the aortic wall. The incidence peaks between 50 and 70 years of age, with a higher prevalence in males than females. Moreover, the incidence has shown an upward trend in recent years. Treatment options mainly include: 1. Medication therapy: Patients experiencing severe pain may be administered analgesics such as morphine; patients with elevated blood pressure should promptly receive antihypertensive drug therapy, such as sodium nitroprusside or urapidil. 2. Surgical treatment: Including open-chest surgery and endovascular repair to save more patients' lives. Aortic dissection carries high risks and high mortality; therefore, once diagnosed, active treatment must be initiated immediately.