Hypertension

Genetically triggered thoracic aortic disease

Marfan syndrome

Bicuspid aortic valve

Loeys-Dietz syndrome

Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

Congenital diseases/syndromes

Coarctation of the aorta

Turner syndrome

Tetralogy of Fallot

Atherosclerosis

Penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer

Trauma, blunt, or iatrogenic

Catheter/stent

Intraaortic balloon pump

Aortic/vascular surgery

Motor vehicle accident

Coronary artery bypass surgery/aortic valve replacement

Cocaine use

Catecholamine induced acute hypertension

Inflammatory/infectious diseases

Giant cell arteritis

Takayasu arteritis

Behet’s disease (immune mediated small-vessel systemic vasculitis)

Aortitis

Syphilis

Pregnancy

Hypertension precipitates proximal aortic dissection and aortic rupture, commonly occurs during 3rd trimester or during the first stage of labour