Objectives To summarise the features and treatments of hypertension in elderly female with Stanford B aortic dissection.

Methods Retrospectively analysed the features and treatments of hypertension in the elderly male group (≥ 60 years, n = 67) and the elderly female group (≥ 60 years, n = 41) who were suffered from Stanford B aortic dissection and hospitalised between April 2002 and July 2011. The average ages were (66.8 ± 5.3) and (65.5 ± 4.6) respectively.

Results The average ages were similar in the two groups. The proportions of patients accompanied with smoking history, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, atherosclerotic ulcer, cardiac insufficiency, renal inadequacy and hypoxemia had no statistics differences between two groups. The histories of hypertension were less aware of while the first-time diagnosis of hypertension were made more frequently in elderly female group (P < 0.05). The proportions of grade 1, grade 2 and grade 3 hypertension and the courses of the disease had no statistics differences between two groups. The highest systolic pressures and pulse pressures on admission and the average systolic pressures, diastolic pressures and pulse pressures after treatments had no statistics differences between two groups. The highest diastolic pressures on admission were higher in elderly female than those in elderly male (P < 0.05). The combined treatments were applied frequently in both groups. The usages of intravenous drugs and types of oral hypotensive drugs had no differences between two groups. Calcium-channel blocker, β-receptor blocker, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, diureticum, angiotensin receptor blocker, angiotensin receptor blocker + diureticum and α1 + β receptor blocker were adopted in turn as hypotensive drugs in elderly female group. Diureticum was used more often in the elderly female group (P < 0.05). The rates of reaching standard blood pressure, total mortalities and mortalities related to aortic dissection during follow up had no differences in two groups.

Conclusions The elderly female with Stanford B aortic dissection were characterised with less awareness of hypertension and higher diastolic pressures on admission. Ideal blood pressures reaching the standard could be achieved after normal anti-hypertension therapy. Emphasis should be put on the early diagnosis of elderly female population. Hypotensive drugs should be applied reasonably and blood pressures should be controlled strictly in order to lower mortalities and improve prognosis.