Acute Aortic Syndromes: Diagnosis and Treatment.

Acute aortic syndromes are disorders of the thoracic and abdominal aorta that are usually symptomatic and require urgent evaluation and treatment. They include acute aortic dissection, intramural hematoma, and penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer. Knowledge of the natural history of these conditions, prompt diagnosis, and surgical intervention, when indicated, are the keys to successful outcomes.