Case Report:  A Case of Acute Aortic Dissection Mimicking Myocardial Ischemia

Vishnuvarthan R S, Valarmathy M, Suresh Babu P, Karthikeyan C T

Patient presents with sudden onset of chest pain with electrocardiography showing ST segment elevation, it is usually difficult to differentiate between myocardial ischemia and AAD. Here, we present a patient with chest pain with initial suspicion of a myocardial infarction, which was AAD.

Abstract

Acute aortic syndrome is a progressive and life-threatening disease of the aorta.  Aortic dissection is caused by a circumferential or transverse tear of the intima. Initiating event may be a primary intimal tear or a medial hemorrhage that dissects into the intima. Peak incidence is in 6th to 7th decade. Presents with sudden onset of pain, the acute aortic syndrome may mimic myocardial ischemia among its variable presentations. When a patient presents with sudden onset of chest pain with electrocardiography showing ST-segment elevation, it is usually difficult to differentiate between myocardial ischemia and AAD. Here, we present a patient with chest pain with initial suspicion of myocardial infarction, AAD.

Keywords: Acute aortic syndrome, aortic dissection, myocardial ischemia, intramural hematoma.

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