Faculty Collaboration Database

Aortic dissection presenting as concomitant stroke and STEMI. J Hum Hypertens 2007 Oct;21(10):818-21

Date

07/13/2007

Pubmed ID

17625590

DOI

10.1038/sj.jhh.1002208

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-34548825973 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   19 Citations

Abstract

Aortic dissection is a disease of immediate consequence,as mortality of a proximal dissection is in excess of 50% when left untreated. Early recognition of the dissection event can lead to faster definitive correction with surgical and/or novel percutaneous approaches. Widely varying signs and symptoms can, however, make this diagnosis a challenge, further complicated by the fact that no specific imaging modality is ideal, nor immediately available, in all cases. Care must be taken inpatients where methodical evaluation is difficult,including physical exam, standard electrocardiogram and chest X-ray, before more definitive imaging. This is a case of aortic dissection that is presented as concomitant ST elevation myocardial infarction and embolic stroke, in which the patient received thrombolytics before diagnosis of the dissection itself. This arguably may have worsened her clinical course.

Author List

Cook J, Aeschlimann S, Fuh A, Kohmoto T, Chang SM

Author

Takushi Kohmoto MD, PhD Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic
Diagnosis, Differential
Electrocardiography
Fatal Outcome
Female
Humans
Hypertension
Middle Aged
Myocardial Infarction
Stroke
Thrombolytic Therapy