Aortic dissection epidemiology and demographics

Aortic dissection Microchapters
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Case #1

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]

Overview

There are approximately 2,000 cases of aortic dissection in the US per year, and aortic dissection accounts for 3-4% of sudden deaths. The peak incidence is in the sixth and seventh decades, and males predominate 2:1.

Epidemiology and Demographics

Age

The highest incidence of aortic dissection is in individuals who are 50 to 70 years old. Half of dissections in females before age 40 occur during pregnancy (typically in the 3rd trimester or early postpartum period). Patients with type I dissection present approximately 6 years younger than those with type II or type II dissection.

Gender

The incidence is twice as high in males as in females (male-to-female ratio is 2:1).