Factors in the propagation of aortic dissections in canine thoracic aortas

Factors were examined which altered the propagation of aortic dissections in canine aortas. Thoracic aortas were removed from sacrificed dogs from the distal end of the arch to the diaphragm. An intimal tear was created at the proximal end of the aorta. The dissection was propagated using a pulsatile pressure system with no flow. The aorta was perfused with a dilute black paint solution, which allowed both video monitoring of the extension of the dissection and measurement of the dissection rate. The dependence of the dissection rate on the variables peak pressure, (dP/dt)max and intimal tear depth was examined. The dissection rate was found to be dependent on (dP/dt)max (p less than 0.005) and the intimal tear depth, expressed as a percentage of wall thickness (p less than 0.01), but not on the peak pressure or intimal tear length. The equation relating the significant variables was log (dissection rate) = (-0.034) X % tear depth +(1.89 +/- 0.56) X (dP/dt)max -(4.3 +/- 1.8); r = 78. Thus a higher (dP/dt)max was associated with a more rapid dissection rate and a deeper intimal tear was associated with a slower dissection rate.