Aortic dissections are sudden, violent and often catastrophic events.  Aortic dissections involve a tear of the innermost layer (lining) of the Aortic wall (called the intima).  Once this tear occurs, flowing blood creates a channel which twists and winds behind the intima within the middle layer (media) of the Aortic wall - much like a meandering stream finding its way through an uneven terrain.  As the new blood channel separates the layers of the... Continue reading.

It is about time that the Aorta got its due.

The human Aorta is the main blood vessel of the body - running lengthwise through the chest and abdomen - which begins at the level of the Aortic valve of the heart and ends deep inside the pelvis.  It carries all of the blood ejected by the heart and efficiently distributes that blood throughout the body by means of branches.

The diameter of... Continue reading.