The often-fatal dissection occurs when blood rushes through a tear in the ascending aorta, causing its layers to separate. The chances of a patient living after tearing their aorta have improved significantly, but the condition remains deadly if not recognized early and repaired surgically, a study finds. Kim Eagle, M.D., MACC, senior author of the paper and director of the University of Michigan Health Frankel Cardiovascular Center, believes that advances in diagnosis and management, especially early surgical repair, play a part in improving the mortality rate.
