Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Clinical Features -- Epidemiology of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms, Aortic Dissection, Intramural Hematoma, and Penetrating Atherosclerotic Ulcers -- Pathophysiology of Acute Aortic Syndromes -- Aortic Dissection: Clinical Presentation -- Imaging Methods -- Role of Echocardiography in the Diagnosis of Aortic Dissection -- CT Evaluation of Aortic Dissection -- Role of MRI in the Diagnosis of Aortic Dissection -- Initial Treatment -- Medical Therapy and Acute Surveillance -- Endovascular Therapy in Aortic Pathology -- Cardiovascular Surgery in the Initial Treatment of Aortic Dissection and Acute Aortic Syndromes -- Subsequent Follow-Up and Treatment -- Long-Term Medical Therapy in Aortic Dissection -- Acute Aortic Syndromes: Surveillance with Imaging -- Evaluation and Management of Special Subsets -- Operation for Acute Aortic Dissection in the Octogenarian Patient -- Genetic Disorders Associated with Aortic Dissection -- Aortic Intramural Hematoma: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Evolution -- Evaluation and Management of Traumatic Aortic Lesions -- Future Frontiers -- Future Directions of Aortic Dissection -- Vascular Surgical Options -- Prevention of Aortic Dissection.