Clinical features

Why?

• Dissection complications at presentation (pulse loss, renal or visceral ischaemia , myocardial infarction, stroke, renal failure or paralysis) increase the risk of death ^b
• Neurological problems (stroke, ischaemic peripheral neuropathy, ischaemic spinal cord damage, altered consciousness) are not helpful in diagnosing aortic dissection or its location; 19% to 26% of cases have syncope, stroke, leg weakness, or reduced consciousness ^c