I named my book, Dissection, after a form of arterial injury that plays a pivotal role in the plot. The most catastrophic type of dissection involves the Aorta. The Aorta supplies oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body. It originates from the left ventricle, bends into an arch in the chest, and splits into two smaller arteries in the abdomen. The aortic arch supplies blood to the brain through the carotid arteries and to the heart through the coronary arteries. An aortic dissection is a particular form of injury in which blood is pushed through a tear in the innermost layer of the aorta, causing the inner and middle layers of the aorta to separate (dissect). As the wall shreds, the branches close down, causing organ damage. The condition can be fatal if left untreated, with the fastest forms of death occurring from the aorta rupturing, or from an insufficient amount of blood flowing to the heart or the brain. About 20% of patients with aortic dissection die before reaching the hospital.
Aortic dissection is relatively uncommon. The condition most frequently occurs in men in their 60s and 70s. Aortic dissection is often preceded by dilatation (aneurysm) and is associated with medical conditions such as connective tissue disorders and hypertension (high blood pressure.) Illicit drug use and smoking can be considered risk factors in some cases. Most blunt aortic injuries are the result of motor vehicle collisions. Typical symptoms include severe back or chest pain, often shearing in nature, as well as lightheadedness, sweating, and vomiting.
Treatment for aortic dissection depends on the location of the tear, with both surgical and medical interventions appropriate depending on the dissection’s location.
Source: Columbia University Department of Surgery
