Stanford classification of aortic dissection

Along with the DeBakey classification, the Stanford classification is used to separate aortic dissections into those that need surgical repair, and those that usually require only medical management. The Stanford classification divides dissections by the most proximal involvement:

• type A: A affects ascending aorta and arch
  • accounts for ~60% of aortic dissections
  • surgical management
  • may result in:
    • coronary artery occlusion
    • aortic incompetence
    • rupture into pericardial sac with resulting cardiac tamponade
• type B: B begins beyond brachiocephalic vessels
  • accounts for ~40% of aortic dissections
  • dissection commences distal to the left subclavian artery
  • medical management with blood pressure control