[Dissecting aneurysms of the aorta: from causes to therapeutic indications]

In its acute phase, aortic dissection (a term that is now preferred to dissecting aneurysm of the aorta) is a medico-surgical emergency. The diagnosis is suspected on clinical data: intensive thoracic pain with recently appeared diastolic murmur and abolition of a peripheral pulse, contrasting with an electrocardiogram that is either normal or not suggestive of acute coronary thrombosis. It is confirmed by imaging methods, notably echocardiography and/or angiography. These methods, rapidly performed in all circumstances, provide the surgeon with useful information on the size and extent of the dissection and on its complications. Surgery still is the only effective treatment of dissections involving the ascending aorta. In dissections of the descending aorta it may or may not be envisaged, depending on the results of medical treatment. In chronic aortic dissections, which may have a long course, surgery is not mandatory, byt it is necessary in case of mediastinal compression or severe aortic insufficiency.