Aortic dissection risk factors

Associate Editor-In-Chief:

Risk Factors

 * Hypertension is seen in 71-86% of patients, occurring most frequently in those with type III dissection.
 * Bicuspid aortic valve is the next most common risk factor, seen in approximately 7%.
 * Marfan’s syndrome was seen in 6%.
 * Other uncommon associations include:
 * Giant cell arteritis
 * Cystic medial necrosis
 * Coarctation of the aorta
 * Deceleration trauma most commonly causes aortic rupture, not dissection.
 * Risk factors for atherosclerosis are also commonly seen, including tobacco use in 67%, and insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in 6%.

Acknowledgements
The content on this page was first contributed by: David Feller-Kopman, MD and C. Michael Gibson M.S., M.D.