Aortic Dissections

What Will You Learn?

• This advanced course on Aortic Dissections provides a comprehensive and clinically focused exploration of the diagnosis, classification, and management of acute and chronic aortic dissections, across both surgical and endovascular domains. By the end of the course, you will be able to:
• Understand the pathophysiology and progression of aortic dissections, including distinctions between Type A, Type B, and non-A/non-B classifications
• Apply modern classification systems (e.g., Stanford, DeBakey, Penn, SVS/STS) to guide diagnosis, triage, and treatment strategies
• Interpret imaging studies (CT angiography, MRI, transesophageal echocardiography) with attention to entry tears, false lumen characteristics, and malperfusion syndromes
• Evaluate indications for open surgery vs. endovascular repair, including patient-specific and anatomy-specific considerations
• Understand techniques in TEVAR, including stent graft sizing, access management, proximal coverage decisions, and spinal cord protection strategies
• Manage acute, subacute, and chronic dissections, including post-dissection aneurysmal degeneration and late false lumen expansion
• Recognize and manage complications, including branch vessel malperfusion, retrograde Type A dissection, stroke, and endoleak
• Integrate multidisciplinary decision-making in complex dissection cases, including input from cardiac surgery, vascular surgery, interventional radiology, and critical care
• Stay up-to-date on evolving evidence and clinical trials, including advances in false lumen embolization, PETTICOAT techniques, and endovascular arch repair
• Whether you are a vascular surgeon, cardiac surgeon, or endovascular specialist, this course equips you with the knowledge and decision-making frameworks to confidently manage one of the most time-sensitive and high-risk pathologies in aortic care.