Many cases of aortic dissection are classed as medical emergencies that require rapid stabilization of the patient followed by surgery. Descending aortic aneurysms are often treated medically with good results. However, surgery may be necessary for these patients at some point if their condition worsens. Treatment may include medications such as:

• Antihypertensives. Medications that lower blood pressure, reducing strain on the heart. These may be given orally or intravenously.
  
  
• Analgesics. Medications to alleviate pain that may be given orally or intravenously.
  
  
• Beta blockers. Medications that slow the heart’s resting rate and reduce the force of the accompanying heart muscle contraction, thus lessening the heart’s workload and reducing the tension on the wall of the aorta. These may be given orally or intravenously.
  
  
• Antibiotics. Patients with Marfan syndrome are administered antibiotics prior to any surgical or invasive procedure to protect their heart valves, which are prone to infection.

Proximal aortic dissection requires urgent surgical intervention. More advanced cases of distal dissection that do not respond to medication are generally treated by surgery as well (open-heart surgery to repair or replace the dissected section of aorta).  

The survival rate for individuals undergoing elective, scheduled surgical repair of an aortic dissection is greater than 95 percent. While this procedure cures the dissection, it does not prevent future recurrence. Individuals with Marfan syndrome or a family medical history of an aortic dissection are more likely to develop additional aortic dissections in the future. Survival rates are lower for emergency, nonscheduled surgeries.