Sympathetic Nerve Activity following Acute Type B Aortic Dissection: A Pilot Study

Sympathetic nerve activity is increased acutely during the first week after type B aortic dissection, resolving towards control values after 3 months. Immediate sympatholytic drug treatment is likely to be crucial in order to prevent the acute and chronic complications of this response. This may confer benefits over and above simply lowering the blood pressure to protect the aorta in the acute phase.