Iatrogenic Aortic Dissection

Abstract

Acute aortic dissection (Stanford Type A) is a life-threatening medical emergency associated with a high rate of early mortality (57 percent) without surgical intervention. During coronary catheterization, it occurs at a rate of 0.02 percent to 0.06 percent. There are no clear guidelines regarding the optimal management of this fatal condition. The critical importance of preventing dissection propagation by stenting the dissection's entrance in the coronary artery had been emphasized in prior review articles. Iatrogenic aortic dissections that do not involve the coronary arteries can be managed conservatively and closely followed-up with repeated imaging.