Acute myocardial infarction due to extension of an acute Stanford type A aortic dissection is a rare but devastating event, occurring in approximately 3% patients with aortic dissection. 4 The RCA is involved in most patients with concurrent infarction.
How do you confirm an aortic dissection?
- Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE). This test uses sound waves to create pictures of the heart in motion. ...
- Computerized tomography (CT) scan of the chest. X-ray are used to produce cross-sectional images of the body. ...
- Magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA).
How can you tell the difference between aortic dissection and MI?
The pain of aortic dissection is typically distinguished from the pain of acute myocardial infarction by its abrupt onset , though the presentations of the two conditions overlap to some degree and are easily confused.
Does aortic dissection show on ECG?
All patients with suspected thoracic aortic dissection should have a 12-lead ECG. However, the ECG often demonstrates a nonspecific abnormality or normal results (approximately 31% of patients). One study reported normal findings in 63 (90%) of 70 patients.
How do I rule out aortic dissection?
Acute aortic dissection can be accurately diagnosed by a CT scan with intravenous contrast of the chest and abdomen .
What does aortic dissection pain feel like?
Sudden severe chest or upper back pain , often described as a tearing or ripping sensation, that spreads to the neck or down the back. Sudden severe stomach pain. Loss of consciousness. Shortness of breath.
How often is aortic dissection missed?
Aortic dissection is often difficult to diagnose, with studies showing up to 38% of patients with AD are missed on initial presentation .
Does aortic regurgitation show up on EKG?
The ECG in patients with aortic regurgitation is non-specific and may show LVH and left atrial enlargement . In acute aortic regurgitation, sinus tachycardia due to the increased sympathetic nervous tone may be the only abnormality on ECG. The chest radiograph is also non-specific in aortic regurgitation.
How long can you live with an aortic dissection?
Although specific information about overall life expectancy after aortic dissection repair is not available, a recent study from the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection reported that about 85% of patients who have undergone successful repair of acute dissection involving the ascending aorta remain alive ...
How does aortic dissection affect blood pressure?
An aortic dissection is an often fatal disorder in which the inner layer (lining) of the aortic wall tears and separates from the middle layer of the aortic wall. Most aortic dissections occur because high blood pressure causes the artery’s wall to deteriorate .
Which arm has a higher blood pressure in aortic dissection?
After being admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, the mean arterial pressure on the left arm was noted to be significant higher. On physical examination, both lower limbs were dusky in appearance because of poor perfusion.
Can a dissected aorta heal itself?
The dissection may slowly heal on its own or cause a rupture in the aortic wall. Depending on the size, such a rupture can kill someone instantly or within a couple of days. How dangerous is aortic dissection? If not detected and treated promptly, aortic dissection can be deadly.
What is the main cause of aortic dissection?
Aortic dissection most often happens because of a tear or damage to the inner wall of the aorta . This very often occurs in the chest (thoracic) part of the artery, but it may also occur in the abdominal aorta. When a tear occurs, it creates 2 channels: One in which blood continues to travel.
Can aortic dissection pain be positional?
Pain can be described as sharp, stabbing, tearing, or ripping. It is felt below the chest bone, and then moves under the shoulder blades or to the back. Pain can move to the shoulder, neck, arm, jaw, abdomen, or hips . The pain changes position, often moving to the arms and legs as the aortic dissection gets worse.
What is a Type B aortic dissection?
INTRODUCTION Chronic type B aortic dissection is defined as one in which the tear originates in the descending thoracic aorta and which has been present for more than 90 days.
Can aortic dissection happen slowly?
1 It usually presents with the patient complaining of a severe chest or abdominal pain. The exact location of the pain varies with regards to which area of the aorta is affected. However, in a small number of cases, aortic dissection occurs gradually thereby not prompting the patient to seek medical care.
