Aortic Disease

Aortic Dissection.

Expert second opinions for aortic dissection. Dual-physician Heart Team review with triple risk scoring. Results in 24 hours.

3-4 per 100,000 annually
Prevalence
Type A: 1-2% mortality per hour if untreated
Key Outcome
Emergency Type A repair mortality 15-25%
Procedures
Quick Answer

Aortic Dissection occurs when a tear in the inner wall of the aorta allows blood to split the vessel layers. If you are facing a decision about aortic dissection, an independent Heart Team second opinion can confirm whether surgery is the right choice and identify alternatives. WhiteGloveMD delivers dual-physician review with STS, EuroSCORE II, and AATS risk scoring in 24 hours. Get an independent second opinion →

Overview

Understanding aortic dissection.

Aortic dissection occurs when a tear in the inner wall of the aorta allows blood to split the vessel layers. Type A dissections involve the ascending aorta and are surgical emergencies. Type B dissections involve only the descending aorta and are often managed medically unless complicated.

Why It Matters

Why you need a second opinion.

For chronic dissection or complicated Type B dissection, treatment decisions are highly nuanced. Endovascular stenting (TEVAR) has expanded options, but patient selection, timing, and long-term surveillance strategy require specialized expertise. Many patients with prior dissection repair need ongoing expert monitoring.

Critical Decisions

Key decisions for aortic dissection.

Type A: surgical technique and extent of repair
Type B: medical management vs TEVAR vs open surgery
Chronic dissection surveillance and reintervention triggers
Connective tissue disorder workup and genetic testing
Branch vessel involvement and malperfusion management
Risk Factors

What affects your risk.

Type A requires emergency surgery
Malperfusion syndromes (organ ischemia)
Connective tissue disorders
False lumen size and flow patterns
Aortic growth rate in chronic dissection
Our Review

What our Heart Team provides.

Dual-physician review (cardiac surgeon + cardiologist)
Triple risk scoring (STS PROM, EuroSCORE II, AATS)
ACC/AHA guideline mapping with evidence grades
Treatment alternatives with risk-benefit comparison
Surgeon and institution matching via Sentinel
Personalized question guide for your next appointment
Complete provenance trail for every conclusion
Results delivered within 24 hours
Common Questions

Frequently asked questions.

Do I need surgery for aortic dissection?

Surgery for aortic dissection depends on symptom severity, imaging findings, and risk profile. Guidelines from the AHA/ACC define specific thresholds, but many patients fall into gray zones where a second opinion meaningfully changes the recommendation. For chronic dissection or complicated Type B dissection, treatment decisions are highly nuanced. Endovascular stenting (TEVAR) has expanded options, but patient selection, timing, and long-term surveillance strategy require specialized expertise. Many patients with prior dissection repair need ongoing expert monitoring.

What are the risks of aortic dissection surgery?

Operative mortality for aortic dissection-related cardiac surgery is calculated using validated models including STS PROM, EuroSCORE II, and AATS. Individual risk depends on age, comorbidities, frailty, ejection fraction, and surgeon/center volume. Our free calculator at whiteglovemd.com/tools/risk-calculator estimates your specific risk across all three models in real time.

Should I get a second opinion before aortic dissection surgery?

Yes. Studies show that 30-40% of expert cardiac surgery second opinions change the original treatment plan — sometimes by recommending less-invasive alternatives, sometimes by clarifying that watchful waiting is safer. WhiteGloveMD pairs a cardiac surgeon and cardiologist with our Clintelligence multi-agent AI pipeline to deliver an independent review in 24 hours, starting at $500.

What is the best treatment for aortic dissection?

The optimal treatment for aortic dissection depends on anatomy, comorbidities, age, and personal goals. Type A: surgical technique and extent of repair. A Heart Team review evaluates every viable option — including transcatheter approaches, repair vs replacement, and surgeon/center matching — rather than defaulting to a single recommendation.

Clinical References
  1. Isselbacher EM, Preventza O, Hamilton Black J, et al. 2022 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Aortic Disease. Circulation. 2022;146(24):e334-e482.
  2. Jordan WD Jr, Rovin J, Moainie S, et al. Results of the GORE TAG conformable thoracic stent graft pivotal trial. J Vasc Surg. 2015;61(3):589-595.
  3. O'Brien SM, Feng L, He X, et al. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons 2018 Adult Cardiac Surgery Risk Models. Ann Thorac Surg. 2018;105(5):1411-1418.
  4. Nashef SAM, Roques F, Sharples LD, et al. EuroSCORE II. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2012;41(4):734-745.

Reading on aortic dissection

See all articles →
Risk Assessment
EuroSCORE II Explained: What This European Cardiac Surgery Risk Score Means for Your Heart Surgery Decision

EuroSCORE II is one of the most widely used risk calculators in cardiac surgery worldwide. Learn what the European cardiac surgery risk score actually measures, how it compares to the STS risk model, and why understanding your score matters before you consent to an operation.

Serrie Lico, MD · May 24, 2026
Diagnostics
Cardiac Stress Test Results: What Your Exercise Echo or Nuclear Stress Test Actually Means

A world-class imaging cardiologist explains how to read and understand your cardiac stress test results — whether you had an exercise stress echo, nuclear stress test, or pharmacologic study. Learn what abnormal findings really mean for your heart and what comes next.

Kunal U. Gurav, MD · May 23, 2026
Risk Assessment
EuroSCORE II Explained: What This European Cardiac Surgery Risk Score Means for Your Heart Surgery Decision

EuroSCORE II is one of the most widely used cardiac surgery risk calculators in the world. As a cardiovascular surgeon, I explain what this European risk score measures, how it compares to the STS risk model, and what patients need to understand before surgery.

Rahul R. Handa, MD · May 22, 2026
Diagnostics
Understanding Your Echocardiogram: A Cardiologist's Guide to TTE vs TEE and What Your Results Actually Mean

A fellowship-trained cardiac imaging specialist explains the key differences between TTE and TEE echocardiograms, what your results mean, and how accurate echocardiogram interpretation can change your surgical plan. Practical guidance for patients and families navigating cardiac imaging decisions.

Kunal U. Gurav, MD · May 18, 2026

Related conditions.

Ascending Aortic Aneurysm
Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Aortic Arch Surgery
Descending Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm
Aortic Root Replacement
Aortic Stenosis

Get an expert opinion on your aortic dissection.

WhiteGloveMD delivers a dual-physician, AI-augmented second opinion in 24 hours. Starting at $500.

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