Region-Specific Medial Fiber Micro-Architecture in the Longitudinal-Radial and Circumferential-Radial Planes of Ascending Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Among Bicuspid and Tricuspid Aortic Valve Patients

Aortic dissection is a life-threatening cardiovascular emergency with a high potential for death. It usually begins with an intimal tear which permits blood to enter the wall, split the media and create a false lumen, which can reenter the true lumen or exit through the adventitia causing complete rupture. A possible mechanism for dissection of ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm (ATAA) can be the occurrence of blood pressure-induced wall stresses in excess to the adhesive strength between the degenerated aortic wall layers.