Q. Can an aortic dissection ever be fatal?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
Yes. An aortic dissection can be fatal if it causes severe bleeding or uncontrolled pressure within the aorta. Aortic dissections are often caused by a tear in the inner layer of the aorta, which can cause blood to flow between the layers of the vessel wall and increase pressure within the aorta. If left untreated, an aortic dissection can lead to organ failure, shock, and death. Treatment typically involves surgery to repair the damaged vessel.
An aortic dissection can most definitely be fatal. In fact, it is one of the most common causes of death from a ruptured blood vessel. The aorta is the largest blood vessel in your body and runs from your heart through your chest and stomach. If it ruptures, you can bleed to death very quickly. Even if surgery is successful, about 1 in 3 people die from this condition.