Intravenous labetalol in acute aortic dissection

ACUTE dissection of the aorta is one of the most common clinical catastrophes involving the aorta. At least 2000 new cases occur each year in the United States alone,1,2and reports have suggested that the incidence of this disorder may be increasing in the industrialized world, with as many as ten to 20 new cases per million population per year.3 During the last 20 years, major advances have occurred in our ability to diagnose and treat this devastating disorder. Coupled with the strides made in surgical therapy,4prompt medical therapy has dramatically improved survival. Medical therapy consists of lowering both the blood pressure (BP) and the velocity of left ventricular ejection (dV/dt).5Agents used include trimethaphan camsylate and the combination of sodium nitroprusside and propranolol hydrochloride. However, these agents are often cumbersome to use and difficult to administer safely during both interhospital and intrahospital transport. Labetalol