Medical Definition of Dissecting thoracic aorta
1.
A condition in which a weakened portion of the thoracic aorta begins to tear along the longitudinal axis of the vessel.
Symptoms include sudden, severe chest pain that may radiate to the back accompanied by nausea, sweating and difficulty breathing.
A common risk factor for this event is atherosclerotic vascular disease and-or hypertension. Advanced cases of syphilis (syphilitic aortitis) can also result in acute thoracic dissection as a complication of infection with Treponema pallidum.
(11 Jan 1998)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Dissecting Thoracic Aorta
Other Resources:
