<Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> (edit on Wikidata) </Td> </Tr> <P> Aortic dissection occurs when an injury to the innermost layer of the aorta allows blood to flow between the layers of the aortic wall, forcing the layers apart . In most cases this is associated with a sudden onset of severe chest or back pain, often described as "tearing" in character . Also, vomiting, sweating, and lightheadedness may occur . Other symptoms may result from decreased blood supply to other organs such as stroke or mesenteric ischemia . Aortic dissection can quickly lead to death from not enough blood flow to the heart or rupture of the aorta . </P> <P> Aortic dissection is more common in those with a history of high blood pressure, a number of connective tissue diseases that affect blood vessel wall strength such as Marfan syndrome, a bicuspid aortic valve, and previous heart surgery . Major trauma, smoking, cocaine use, pregnancy, a thoracic aortic aneurysm, inflammation of arteries, and abnormal lipid levels are also associated with an increased risk . The diagnosis is suspected based on symptoms with medical imaging such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or ultrasound used to confirm and further evaluate the dissection . The two main types are Stanford type A which involves the first part of the aorta and type B which does not . </P> <P> Prevention is by blood pressure control and not smoking . The treatment of aortic dissection depends on the part of the aorta involved . Surgery is usually required for dissections that involve the first part of the aorta, while those that do not can typically be treated with blood pressure and heart - rate lowering unless complications result . Surgery may be done either by an opening in the chest or by endovascular aneurysm repair (carried out from inside the blood vessels). </P>

Dissecting aneurysm of descending thoracic aorta icd 10