Aortic Dissection By Mark A Farber, MD, FACS, University of North Carolina; Federico E Parodi, MD, University of North Carolina School of Medicine Reviewed / Revised Jun 2022 | Modified Sep 2022 View Patient Education Etiology Pathophysiology Symptoms and Signs Diagnosis Prognosis Treatment Key Points Topic Resources Aortic Dissection Thoracic Aortic Dissection... Aortic Dissection Abdominal Aortic Dissection Conditions Contributing to... Overview of Aortic Dissection Aortic dissection is the surging of blood through a tear in the aortic intima with separation of the intima and media and creation of a false lumen (channel).