Relax. You're going to be okay. You're ahead of 99.9% of all aortic dissection patients because you KNOW. I suffered a complete dissection at age 50 in 2015. I am hear to tell that story. You are going to be okay. The CT will alert them to changes. If your doc says have surgery, have surgery. You can do this. I did it and it was a nightmare to have a sudden and complete Type A1 aortic dissection. BUT: You know in advance. That's the difference between having a blowout at 75MPH on your front right tire vs. making a plan to go into the mechanic's shop and having the tire replaced when you see that it has a bulge. Don't panic. You're not alone. My contact information is attached to my name. Feel free to call or email me directly if you want to talk. I knew nothing about my aorta until it blew and then it was an all-hands-on-deck nightmare scenario (42 minutes from the start of the dissection to undergoing open heart surgery on a business trip in San Diego). If I had known what I was in for, I would have done the surgery well in advance of the ultimate dissection. If you catch it early LIKE YOU HAVE, your chance of full recovery is excellent. You're going to be okay. Call me if you want to chat. I am a non-medical expert on aortic dissections. I can tell you things that the doctors can't because they have never suffered and survived a complete dissection. Peace.