Which Stanford type of aortic dissection is treated surgically?

Type A aortic dissection refers to dissections that involve the ascending aorta, which is the portion of the aorta that originates from the heart. This type of dissection is considered a surgical emergency due to the high risk of life-threatening complications, such as aortic rupture, cardiac tamponade, and severe disruption of blood flow to vital organs, including the coronary arteries.

Surgical intervention typically involves immediate surgery to repair the affected section of the aorta, and it may include procedures such as aortic replacement or resection. The urgency of surgery for Type A dissections is fundamentally linked to the anatomical location of the dissection, which poses a significant risk to the patient's life and necessitates rapid intervention.

In contrast, Type B dissections, which occur distal to the left subclavian artery and do not involve the ascending aorta, can often be managed initially with medical therapy, particularly in stable patients, and surgery is reserved for complications. Type C and D are not classifications recognized in the context of aortic dissection according to Stanford classification, reinforcing the focus on Type A as the one requiring surgical treatment.