title: Acute dissection of the aorta: a review for nurses.
abstract: This article will review important elements involved in caring for the patient experiencing an acute dissection of the aorta. The etiology and classification system, signs and symptoms, diagnostic methods, indications for operation, circulatory arrest/deep hypothermia, surgical techniques, and complications of surgery will be discussed.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Service, West Penn Allegheny Health System, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Nauer
mesh_terms: D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing / Q000601:surgery; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing / Q000601:surgery; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D006801:Humans; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000451:nursing