Overview of the current knowledge on etiology, natural history and treatment of aortic dissection.

In this manuscript, we review the etiology, classification, clinical manifestation, behavior, management and outcomes of aortic dissection. We emphasize the importance of genetics in the development of aortic dissection, discuss the role of size in clinical decision-making, and review the mechanism of aortic dissection development as well as the maturation of the dissected aorta.