Table 1

General treatment paradigms for acute aortic dissection (see text)

General treatment paradigms for acute aortic dissection
Primary treatmentAlternate treatment
Type A dissection
(ascending)		Surgery (ascending aortic replacement)Anti-impulse Rx
 β-blockers
 Afterload reducers
Type B dissection
(descending)		Complication-specific approach

Uncomplicated: Med Rx
(anti-impulse Rx)		Complicated:
Rupture—surgery/endovascular
Impending rupture—endovascular
Malperfusion—fenestration
(surgical or endovascular)