Dissecting Aneurysm of the Aorta

WITH the recent development of technics for the successful surgical correction of dissecting aneurysm of the thoracic aorta, the early diagnosis of this entity assumes great importance. The clinical impression, based on the history and physical findings, is often sufficient to raise the suspicion that this condition is present. This disease generally develops at the fifth to the seventh decade and is usually preceded by a history of hypertension. There is a transverse tear in the intima, usually either just above the aortic valve or in the area of the left subclavian artery. The dissection occurs between the layers of . . .