title: A killer at large: acute aortic dissection.
abstract: Acute aortic dissection is one of the most fatal acute cardiovascular disorders that has challenged physicians and surgeons for decades. This article provides an up-to-date overview of the aetiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of this condition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Surgery Stanford University, California, USA.
authors.forename: Ahmed N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Assar
authors.forename: Christopher K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Zarins
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D003240:Connective Tissue Diseases / Q000150:complications; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008382:Marfan Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed