Q: Type A acute ascending aortic dissection is a surgical emergency. What's the rate of mortality for delay?


Answer:  Type A acute ascending aortic dissection is a surgical emergency. Mortality rate  rises 1 to 2 percent per hour in early hours after symptom onset.



 References: 

1.  Nienaber CA, Eagle KA. Aortic dissection: new frontiers in diagnosis and management: Part I: from etiology to diagnostic strategies. Circulation 2003; 108:628. 

2. Mehta RH, Suzuki T, Hagan PG, et al. Predicting death in patients with acute type a aortic dissection. Circulation 2002; 105:200.