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Document Assessment
Table I. SVS/STS chronicity classification of aortic
dissection
Chronicity Time from onset of symptoms
Hyperacute <24 hours
Acute 1–14 days
Subacute 15–90 days
Chronic >90 days
Anatomic Classification of Thoracic Aortic Dissection
➤ Although generally adequate for everyday clinical use, existing
classification systems for aortic dissection are imprecise in localizing
both the origin and the extent, proximal as well as distal, of the
pathology and the presence of an intramural hematoma (IMH)
(Figures #1–4).
➤ The SVS/STS system (Figures #5–9), which is intended primarily
for research reporting, improves the precision (Figure #7) and can
accommodate further information such as aortic ulcers (Figure #10),
acuity and chronicity (Figure #11, 12, Tables I & II). It also allows
ready comparison of subsequent episodes of aortic dissection with
the original.
