Epidemiology
Globally, reported incidences of aortic dissection range from 3 to 10 cases per 100,000 patients in the United States to 16 cases per 100,000 patients in Sweden.[6] One prospective UK-based population study derived an incidence of 6 cases per 100,000 when out-of-hospital deaths were included.[7] Men are predominantly affected, typically between the ages of 50 and 70 years; patients with Marfan syndrome, bicuspid aortic valve, Loeys-Dietz syndrome, and vascular Ehlers-Danhlos syndrome present at younger ages.[4] The true incidence of acute aortic dissection may be underrepresented by these population reports, given that many patients die before reaching a hospital, with the cause of death never proven.[6]
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