title: Acute dissection of the thoracic aorta.
abstract: Aortic dissection is an acute medical emergency with a high mortality. Crucial to improving survival is early recognition and appropriate treatment. This review describes the presenting clinical features and imaging techniques used in the diagnosis of aortic dissection and outlines the treatment modalities.
authors.affiliation: Cardiothoracic Centre, Liverpool L14 3PE.
authors.forename: Shahid
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aziz
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Ramsdale
mesh_terms: D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010808:Physical Examination; D011379:Prognosis; D015607:Stents; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods