Monday, February 4, 2019

Painless Aortic Dissection

Q: Which category of the patients tends to have relatively painless aortic dissection? (select one)

A) older with ascending aortic dissection 
 B) older with descending aortic dissection 


 Answer: A

Although painless aortic dissection is uncommon it may occur. Interesting it is more common with ascending aortic dissection in older patients with a mean age of 67. Other risk factors to have painless aortic dissection include diabetes, previous history of an aortic aneurysm, or cardiovascular surgery. These patients usually present with symptoms related to aortic dissection other than chest pain like heart failure, syncope, or CVA.


#cardiology
#surgicalcriticalcare


References:

1. Mehta RH, O'Gara PT, Bossone E, et al. Acute type A aortic dissection in the elderly: clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes in the current era. J Am Coll Cardiol 2002; 40:685.

2. Park SW, Hutchison S, Mehta RH, et al. Association of painless acute aortic dissection with increased mortality. Mayo Clin Proc 2004; 79:1252.

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