Vnitr Lek 2020, 66(8):e55-e60 | DOI: 10.36290/vnl.2020.160

Dissection of ascending aorta, a diagnosis needs to remember about it

Veronika Jankovičová, Margita Belicová, Milan Ochodnický, Marián Mokáň

I. interná klinika, Univerzitná nemocnica a JLF UK v Martine

Acute type A aortic dissection is a life-threating condition, and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Patients typically present with the acute onset of chest pain, which occurs in up to 85% of cases. Acute chest pain may lead to the suspicion of acute coronary syndrome, and as the electrocardiogram may indicate ischaemia, patients are given anti-thrombotic treatment. Some patients can present without chest pain, but with focal neurological deficits, which can occur with involvement of the great vessel. The authors described three patients with acute type A aortic dissection. Two of them did not present with the acute onset of chest pain, but with focal neurological deficits. Third patient presented with the acute onset of chest pain and the electrocardiogram indicated suspected ischaemia, which led to the suspicion of acute coronary syndrome. The authors presented, that diagnosis of acute type A aortic dissection can be easily overlooked and a high index of suspicion is needed to obtain a timely diagnosis such that appropriate initial therapy can be instituted promptly.

Keywords: aorta, acute type A aortic dissection, acute coronary syndrome, stroke.

Published: December 15, 2020  Show citation