How can you tell the difference between aortic dissection and MI?

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.

Can myocardial infarction cause aortic dissection?

Type A aortic dissection with concurrent ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is relatively rare. However, it can be potentially fatal and easily misdiagnosed as STEMI alone. Misdiagnosis will lead to inappropriate administration of anticoagulant and thrombolytic therapy and delayed surgical repair of the aorta.

Is troponin elevated in aortic dissection?

Conclusions: Cardiac troponin I elevation is frequent in patients with type A aortic dissection. It might reflect a higher haemodynamic stress but does not necessarily reflect a negative prognosis.

Can ECG detect aortic dissection?

In acute thoracic aortic dissection, the ECG changes can mimic those seen in acute cardiac ischemia. In the presence of chest pain, these signs can make distinguishing dissection from acute myocardial infarction very difficult (see the image below).

How do you confirm an aortic dissection?

A CT of the chest is used to diagnose an aortic dissection, possibly with an injected contrast liquid. Contrast makes the heart, aorta and other blood vessels more visible on the CT pictures. Magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA). An MRI uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to make pictures of the body.

How long can you live with an aortic dissection?

Short-term and long-term survival rates after acute type A aortic dissection (TA-AAD) are unknown. Previous studies have reported survival rates between 52% and 94% at 1 year and between 45% and 88% at 5 years.

What is the most common cause of an 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.

What are the odds of surviving aortic dissection?

Prognosis for Aortic Dissection Hospital mortality rate for treated patients is about 30% for proximal dissection and 10% for distal. For treated patients who survive the acute episode, survival rate is about 60% at 5 years and 40% at 10 years.

Can you survive an aortic tear?

The condition most frequently occurs in men in their 60s and 70s. Symptoms of aortic dissection may mimic those of other diseases, often leading to delays in diagnosis. However, when an aortic dissection is detected early and treated promptly, the chance of survival greatly improves.

Can aortic tear repair 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.

Can you live a long life with an aortic aneurysm?

Yes, you can live with an aortic aneurysm, and there are many ways to prevent dissection (splitting of the blood vessel wall that causes blood to leak) or worse, a rupture (a burst aneurysm). Some aortic aneurysms are hereditary or congenital, such as bicuspid aortic valve, infection or inflammatory conditions.

How do you get an aortic tear?

The presence of an aneurysm. Atherosclerosis (or buildup of plaque in the arteries) Certain genetic conditions like a bicuspid aortic valve. Connective tissue diseases (such as Marfan syndrome) which run in families.

What causes an aorta to rupture?

The most common cause of aortic rupture is a ruptured aortic aneurysm. Other causes include trauma and iatrogenic (procedure-related) causes.

How do they fix an aortic dissection?

For a traditional open-heart surgery

1. Your surgeon will make an incision in your chest or belly (abdomen).
2. A heart bypass machine will take over pumping blood around your heart and lungs.
3. Once your surgeon has found the tear, manmade (synthetic) grafts can replace the damaged parts of the aorta.

Does aortic dissection run in families?

Familial Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm and/or Dissection (FTAAD) Thoracic aortic aneurysm and/or dissection (TAAD) can run in families even when no genetic syndrome like Marfan syndrome is present in affected family members.

Can coughing cause aortic dissection?

While the aetiology of this aortic dissection remains uncertain, we would like our colleagues to be aware of two particularly salient points regarding this case: severe chest/back pain following forceful coughing may be indicative of aortic dissection, and the dissection was not recognised until the intra-operative TOE …

Who is at risk for aortic dissection?

The condition is rare and is most frequently diagnosed in men between the ages of 60 and 80 years of age. However, women and younger patients can develop the condition. Aortic dissection occurs in an area of the aorta that has been weakened.

How often is aortic dissection missed?

Clinical Presentation Aortic dissection is often difficult to diagnose, with studies showing up to 38% of patients with AD are missed on initial presentation.

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.

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.