Aortic dissection is a life threatening entity that must be distinguished from other life threatening entities such as cardiac tamponade, cardiogenic shock, myocardial infarction, and pulmonary embolism. Age-related changes due to atherosclerosis and uncontrolled hypertension are associated with spontaneous dissection, while blunt trauma injury and sudden deceleration in a motor vehicle accident is a major cause of aortic dissection. Two thirds of dissections originate in the ascending aorta, and 20% are in the proximal descending aorta. An inherent weakness in the tunica media layer predisposes patients to develop a tear in the intima layer. The tear is usually transverse, extends through the intima and halfway through the media and involves ~50% of the aortic circumference. Aortic dissection begins as a tear in the aortic wall in > 95% of patients. European society of cardiology defined another classification system for aortic dissection in 2014.

DeBakey and Stanford's systems are commonly used classification systems for aortic dissection. The systems commonly in use are either based on either the anatomy of the dissection ( proximal, distal) or the duration of onset of symptoms ( acute, chronic) prior to presentation. Several different classification systems have been used to describe aortic dissections. This registry with more than 2000 patients is now the largest database on AADA worldwide. In 2006, another international registry was established in Germany for acute aortic dissection type A (AADA) with the goal of collecting patients' information for structured follow-up. This registry provides information of more than 1500 patients with acute aortic dissection and may be used as a resource for this disorder. In 1996, an international, referral center was registered for acute aortic dissection with the goal of registering patients' presentation, treatment, and outcome.

In 1970, a group of surgeons suggested the simplified classification system of Stanford. DeBakey suggested the first classification system for aortic dissection. The first successful surgical intervention for aortic dissection was done by Dr. René Laennec used the term dissecting aneurysm for the first time. Frank Nicholls described the first case of aortic dissection in 1761. Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. Natural History, Complications and PrognosisĮditor-In-Chief: C. Differentiating Aortic dissection from other Diseases

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