Etymed
aortic dissection
Definition
A serious medical condition where there is a tear in the inner layer of the aorta, causing blood to flow between the layers of the aortic wall
Clinical context
A 65-year-old man presents to the emergency department with sudden onset of severe chest pain that he describes as 'tearing' in nature. The pain radiates to his back and is associated with diaphoresis. His blood pressure is 180/120 mmHg in the right arm but only 140/90 mmHg in the left arm. A CT angiogram reveals a tear in the intimal layer of the ascending aorta with blood flow dissecting between the aortic wall layers.
Mnemonic
Aortic dissection: 'Tearing pain radiating to back with unequal blood pressures'