Are you familiar with the three acute aortic syndromes? If not, these are three diagnoses that are deemed to be on the same spectrum. They are, therefore, detected and treated in similar ways. They are the following:
Aortic dissection
This condition involves a rip on the intimal layer. Aside from that, it involves a false lumen and either retrograde or anterograde expansion. Among the three, this is the most common type that even accounts for 85-90% of all acute aortic syndromes.
Intramural hematoma
On the other hand, an intramural hematoma is caused by the vasa vasorum rupturing in the media. This affliction is worrisome because it then results in a blood clot within the walls of the aorta. The thrombus might resolve spontaneously, but it might also extend. This is rare than aortic dissection and accounts for 5-10% of the acute aortic syndromes.
Penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer
Last but not least, we have what is known as the penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer. Be careful as it might result in an intramural blood clot, dissection, or aortic perforation. This is the most uncommon type of acute aortic syndrome. After all, it only accounts for around 5% of the cases.
