Acute aortic syndrome

Acute aortic syndrome (AAS) is a clinical syndrome caused by one of three life-threatening aortic pathologies which all have similar clinical features. These are:

• Aortic dissection (70-80% of cases)
• Aortic intramural haemotoma
• Penetratic aortic ulcer

Clinical features

Patients usually present with severe chest pain that has a tearing character. There is often hypertension.

Aortic dissection

See aortic dissection.

Aortic intramural haematoma

Aortic intramural haematoma refers to the acute formation of a contained haemorrage in the aortic wall. The haemorrhage usually arises from the vasa vasorum. Etiology and treatment is similar as for aortic dissection.

Penetrating aortic ulcer

Penetrating aortic ulcer refers to the formation of an atherosclerotic lesion in the aorta which has ulcerated through the tunica intima. As they progress, they may ulcerate into the tunica media, forming an intramural haematoma. Etiology and treatment is similar as for aortic dissection.

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