Aortic dissection

Question 1

Give 5 risk factors for aortic dissection

Answer 1

Hypertension
Hyperlipidaemia
Smoking
Syphilis infection
Marfan's syndrome
Cocaine

Question 2

SSx of aortic dissection

Answer 2

Tearing chest pain radiating to back
Radio-radial delay
Radio-femoral delay
Syncope
Hypotension
Weakness/Paraesthesia in lower legs

Question 3

Management of aortic dissection?

Answer 3

Type A (ascending aorta) - Surgical Mx i.e aortic root repair
Type B ( descending aorta, distal to left subclavian origin) - Medical Mx i.e labetalol

Question 4

Complications of aortic dissection

Answer 4

Complications of backward tear:
aortic incompetence/regurgitation
MI: inferior pattern is often seen due to right coronary involvement

Complications of a forward tear:
unequal arm pulses and BP
stroke
renal failure

Question 5

Appearance of aortic dissection on CXR?

Answer 5

Widened mediastinum