Insights from the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection

The International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection (IRAD) was established in 1996 for the purpose of enrolling patients at large referral centres to assess the presentation, management and outcomes of acute aortic dissection (AAD). Data on presentation, diagnostic, management and outcomes were initially collected by 12 centres and then extended to 28 referral centres . All data of more than 5,000 cases were reviewed and analysed by the IRAD Coordinating Center at the University of Michigan . Since the first publication in 2000, IRAD investigators have reported a number of clinical observations, in more than 70 publications. This article will cover most of these points highlighting the findings of IRAD in patients with type A (with ascending aorta involvement) and type B (without ascending aorta involvement) AAD.