Aortic dissection

Prevalence Clinical features Differential diagnosis Investigations Therapy Prevention Prognosis

Investigations ECG - look for   myocardial infarction d left ventricular hypertrophy c blood count d cardiac enzymes b   urea and electrolytes, creatinine b   group and save d chest X-ray - look for b   widening of the aorta (particularly the aortic knob) or the mediastinum pleural effusion tracheal shift Perform further imaging if aortic dissection still possible d in consultation with cardiothoracic centre d MRI a   transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) a   If these are not available: CT thorax a   transthoracic echocardiography (TTE)  a

 

Expiry date: August 2004
Levels of Evidence used in grading these guides

Author	CM   Ball
Reviewer	M   Briggs
CAT Writers	CM   Ball , CJ   Wotton