Condition Info - BotMed Application

ConditionName

Aortic Dissection

ConditionDescription

Symptoms

Sudden severe chest or upper back pain, often described as a tearing, ripping or shearing sensation, that radiates to the neck or down the back;
Sudden severe abdominal pain;
Syncope; 
Shortness of breath (SOB);
Sudden difficulty speaking, loss of vision, weakness or paralysis of one side of your body, similar to those of a stroke;
Weak pulse in one arm or thigh compared with the other;
Leg pain; Difficulty walking; Leg paralysis;

PhysicalFindings

ClinicalTests

x-ray – best initial test;
Most accurate: angiogram;
(+) D-dimer, but not diagnostic b/c not specific;
ECG: nonspecific ST-segment changes;
CT angiography of chest/abdomen/pelvic;
R/O stroke with stroke like symptoms

RiskFactors

Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis);
An aortic valve defect (bicuspid aortic valve);
Smoking;
HTN;
Age (60-80);
Cocaine use;
Pregnancy;
Marfan syndrome; 
Ehlers-Danlos; 
DM;

IsRedFlag

IsNPLEX

Consequence

ProgressionFromCondition

Catheterisation of heart;
Aortic aneurysm;
Uncontrolled HTN; 
Aortic coarctation;
Cardiac tamponade; 
Traumatic event (weight lifting, car accident);

TreatmentOptions

PharmOptions

Control BP with BB – best initial therapy

WebLink

https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/cardiovascular-disorders/diseases-of-the-aorta-and-its-branches/aortic-dissection