Aortic Dissection ---- A dissecting aortic aneurysm (aortic dissection) occurs when a tear in the intima allows blood to enter the media, creating a false lumen that can propagate along the aortic wall. --- Pathophysiology Initiated by intimal tear → blood dissects into media → separation of layers. The false lumen may re-enter the true lumen or rupture externally (fatal). Weakening of media due to hypertension, cystic medial degeneration, or connective tissue disease (e.g., Marfan, Ehlers–Danlo

Diagnosis of this TTE?! 👀 (Don’t cheat — try to spot it before reading on!) Chest trauma? 👉 Watch for the flap. A thin, mobile, linear echo within the aortic lumen = possible intimal tear — a red flag for aortic injury or dissection. Echo Tips for Evaluation: 🔹 Scan in multiple views to confirm mobility and continuity 🔹 Use color Doppler to distinguish true (original) vs false (new) lumen 🔹 Quantify aortic regurgitation 🔹 Check for pericardial effusion — may signal rupture and impending ta

Aortic Regurgitation - Cardiovascular Disorders - Merck Manual Professional Edition