Aortic dissection causes

Aortic dissection Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Aortic dissection from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Study of Choice
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Electrocardiogram
X-ray
Echocardiography and Ultrasound
CT scan
MRI
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Special Scenarios
Management during Pregnancy
Case Studies
Case #1

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

Causes of aortic dissection

The exact cause is unknown, but risks include atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and high blood pressure. Traumatic injury is a major cause of aortic dissection, especially blunt trauma to the chest.

Common Causes

• Motor vehicle accident

Causes in Alphabetical Order

Other risk factors and conditions associated with the development of aortic dissection include:

• Aging
• Bicuspid aortic valve
• Chest trauma
• Coarctation of the aorta
• Connective tissue disorders
• Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
• Heart surgery or procedures
• Marfan syndrome
• Third trimester of pregnancy
• Pseudoxanthoma elasticum
• Tertiary syphilis
• Turner's syndrome
• Vascular inflammation due to conditions such as arteritis and syphilis