Aortic dissection is a serious condition in which there is a tear in the wall of the major artery carrying blood out of the heart (aorta). As the tear extends along the wall of the aorta, blood can flow in between the layers of the blood vessel wall (dissection). This can lead to aortic rupture or decreased blood flow (ischemia) to organs.
Pierluigi Incarnato, TFCPC Cardiovascular and Abdominal Techinician Sonographer, Cardiac Physiologist at San Michele Nursing Home (Italy)