Acute inferior wall myocardial infarction induced by aortic dissection in a young adult with Marfan syndrome: A case report

BACKGROUNDAortic dissection (AD) is an emergent and life-threatening disorder, and its in-hospital mortality was reported to be as high as 24.4%-27.4%. AD can mimic other more common disorders, especially acute myocardial infarction (AMI), in terms of both symptoms and electrocardiogram changes. Reperfusion for patients with AD may result in catastrophic outcomes. Increased awareness of AD can be helpful for early diagnosis, especially among younger patients.CASE SUMMARYWe report a 28-year-old man with acute left side chest pain without cardiovascular risk factors. He was diagnosed with acute inferior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), which, based on illness history, physical examination, and intraoperative findings, was eventually determined to be type A AD caused by Marfan syndrome. Emergent coronary angiography revealed the anomalous origin of the right coronary artery as well as eccentric stenosis of the proximal segment. Subsequently, computed tomography angiography (CTA) showed intramural thrombosis of the ascending aorta. Finally, the patient was transferred to the cardiovascular surgery department for a Bentall operation. He was discharged 13 d after the operation, and aortic CTA proved a full recovery at the 2-year follow-up.CONCLUSIONIt is essential and challenging to differentiate AD from AMI. Type A AD should be the primary consideration in younger STEMI patients without cardiovascular risk factors but with outstanding features of Marfan syndrome.     

Gender-Differences in aortic dissection

ObjectivesAortic dissection is a truly emergency in daily practice, and for gender factor, we want to compare the epidemiology, biomarkers, symptoms and outcome.MethodsA retrospective review six-year AD cases in a northern Taiwan medical center from January, 1, 2005 to December, 31, 2010. by gathering data of 134 AD patients including gender, age, episodes of time, season, vital signs, symptoms (chest pain, chest tightness (CP/CT), abdominal pain, neurological symptoms), Stanford classifications, and outcome. Comparisons are made by gender of AD groups. 85 cases with complete data are strictly enrolled into our study. We used student t test and one way ANOVA for statistical analyses, and significance was set at a P value less than 0.05 (2-tailed).ResultsThere are 64 male and 21 female enrolled into our study with the mean ± standard deviation (SD) of age is (64.1±14.0) years old. In AD patients with female gender are older than male AD patients (71.5 vs. 61.6 years old, P value<0.01). In symptoms of presentation, female AD patients have more neurologic symptoms than male AD patients (38.1% vs. 12.5%, P <0.01). Female AD patients have longer hospital stay and higher mortality rate than male AD patients (16.8 vs. 13.4 d; 38.1% vs. 18.8%, P =0.39; P =0.07).ConclusionFemale AD patients are ten-year older in age than male, and have more common neurologic symptoms in presentations, and female AD patient have 2-fold mortality rate than male AD patients.     

Use of three dimensional-printing in the management of floating aortic thrombus due to occult aortic dissection: A case report

BACKGROUNDFloating thrombus within the thoracic aorta is a rare entity but may cause systemic embolism. The pathogenesis of floating aortic thrombi is not yet fully understood. No definitive guidelines are available for the management of floating aortic thrombus.CASE SUMMARYWe report a 48-year-old patient, without a history of trauma and infection, who presented with sudden severe back pain. A floating thrombus within the aortic arch was found by computed tomography angiography (CTA). No evidence of coagulopathies was found. However, with the assistance of a three dimensional-printed model, this floating thrombus was identified to be caused by occult aortic dissection (AD). Subsequently, an emergency thoracic endovascular repair was performed. The patient’s back pain was rapidly alleviated postoperatively. CTA at 1 year showed no filling defect in the stent-graft and aorta.CONCLUSIONOccult AD is a potential factor causing floating aortic thrombi, endovascular stent-graft exclusion may be an optimal therapeutic choice with promising results. Moreover, the combination of CTA and three dimensional-printed models can contribute to the diagnosis and treatment of floating aortic thrombi due to occult AD.     

Acute Aortic Dissection With ST Segment Myocardial Infarction Following Masturbation

BackgroundAcute aortic dissection is the most common life-threatening disorder affecting the aorta, and can mimic other disease processes. We describe an unusual presentation of a critically ill patient with initial hematospermia diagnosed with a type A acute aortic dissection.Case ReportA 68 year old man presented to a community ED after masturbation and report of blood in his ejaculate, followed by rapid development of severe low back, chest and hip pain with shock. ECG showed evidence of ST segment elevation, but suspicion remained high for thoracic or abdominal aortic catastrophe. Bedside ultrasound demonstrated no pericardial effusion, a severely hypokinetic myocardium and a question of fluid in the left perinephric space. Attempts were made to resuscitate the patient, and an ED chest/abdomen/pelvis CT showed a type A acute thoracic aortic dissection. Unfortunately, the patient remained profoundly unstable, with multiple arrests. He was transferred to a tertiary care facility, but expired shortly after arrival.Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This?An emergency physician needs to be aware of the myriad of presentations of acute aortic dissection. Although hematospermia was felt ultimately to be an incidental symptom, sexual activity may bring about a significant transient increase in blood pressure, which could contribute to sheer force causing aortic injury. Awareness of this trigger and a careful sensitive history may aid the clinician in early diagnosis.     

580例主动脉夹层患者临床特征及预后分析

目的 探讨主动脉夹层(aortic dissection,AD)患者的临床特征及预后相关影响因素.方法 收集580例确诊AD患者的临床资料,对一般情况、既往病史、症状与体征、辅助检查、诊断、治疗及住院期间生存情况等进行回顾性分析,采用Logistic单因素及多因素回归分析比较Stanford A型和B型患者年龄、性别、高血压史、收缩压水平、舒张压水平、D-二聚体(D-dimer)、白细胞(white blood cell,WBC)、心肌钙蛋白T(cardiac troponin T,cTnT)、氨基端前脑钠肽(N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide,NT-proBNP)、纤维蛋白原(fibrinogen,FIB)以及是否手术等因素是否与AD患者近期预后相关.结果 580例AD患者中男性发病明显高于女性,男女比例约3.57:1.58.62％的AD患者有高血压病史.主动脉夹层的临床表现多样,以单纯胸痛、背痛及同时胸背痛为主要症状,部分患者可伴有腹痛或转移痛.Stanford A型患者胸膜反应、中重度主动脉反流、心包积液、异常心电图发生率以及主动脉根部直径、血D-二.聚体、WBC、cTnT和NT-proBNP水平均明显高于B型患者(P＜0.05),主动脉异常、无主动脉反流和正常心电图发生率均明显低于B型患者(P＜0.05).本组病例以非手术组病死率高于手术组(70％ vs.8.61％,P＜0.05),Stanford A型病死率高于Stanford B型(29.43％ vs.13.75％,P＜0.05).Stanford A型患者Logistic多因素分析提示D-二聚体(OR=1.23)、NT-proBNP(OR=1.006)和是否手术(OR=0.124)为A型患者独立预后因素;Stanford B型患者Logistic多因素分析提示D-二聚体(OR=1.801)、WBC(OR=1.59)和是否手术(OR=0.142)为B型患者独立预后因素.结论 主动脉夹层的临床表现复杂,D-二聚体、NT-proBNP和是否手术是影响A型患者住院期间预后的独立因素,D-二聚体、WBC和是否手术是影响B型患者住院期间预后的独立因素.     

主动脉夹层140例临床分析

目的:研讨主动脉夹层临床表现及诊治现状。方法:收集1995年5月-2008年2月140例主动脉夹层患者临床资料,其中2005年3月以前45例、以后95例,分析其临床特点、影像学诊断、治疗方法及效果。结果:①主动脉夹层多发于中老年男性,多集中在40~60岁,10~12月发病水平较高。②发病与高血压病、吸烟和马凡综合症相关。③突发胸、腹部剧烈、持续疼痛是本病的主要临床表现。④影像学MRI、CTA和DSA检查是确诊本病的最佳方法,诊断符合率达100%。⑤早期及时确诊,降低血压、心率是关键,手术患者预后好,生活质量较高。结论:主动脉夹层首发症状主要为持续剧烈胸腹疼痛,死亡率高,早期诊断是治疗关键,MRI、CTA及DSA有助于确诊,在有效内科治疗基础上及时手术或介入治疗是降低死亡率的有效方法。     

Combined cesarean delivery and repair of acute aortic dissection at 34 weeks of pregnancy during COVID-19 outbreak: A case report

BACKGROUNDSince the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the exclusion of a patient from COVID-19 should be performed before surgery. However, patients with type A acute aortic dissection (AAD) during pregnancy can seriously endanger the health of either the mother or fetus that requires emergency surgical treatment without the test for COVID-19. CASE SUMMARYA 38-year-old woman without Marfan syndrome was admitted to the hospital because of chest pain in the 34^th week of gestation. She has diagnosed as having a Stanford type-A AAD involving an aortic arch and descending aorta via aortic computed tomographic angiography. The patient was transferred to the isolated negative pressure operating room in one hour and underwent cesarean delivery and ascending aorta replacement. All medical staff adopted third-level medical protection measures throughout the patient transfer and surgical procedure. After surgery, the patient was transferred to the isolated negative pressure intensive care unit ward. The nucleic acid test and anti-COVID-19 immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgM were performed and were negative. The patient and infant were discharged without complication nine days later and recovered uneventfully. CONCLUSIONThe results indicated that the procedure that we used is feasible in patients with a combined cesarean delivery and surgery for Stanford type-A AAD during the COVID-19 outbreak, which was mainly attributed to rapid multidisciplinary consultation, collaboration, and quick decision-making.     

Proximal true lumen collapse in a chronic type B aortic dissection patient: A case report

BACKGROUNDIn the context of aortic dissection, increasing pressure within the newly formed false lumen can result in the progressive compression of the true aortic channel. However, true lumen collapse in chronic type B aortic dissection (cTBAD) patients is rare, with few clinical or experimental studies to date having explored the causes of such collapse.CASE SUMMARYIn the present report, we describe a rare case of true-lumen collapse in an 83-year-old patient diagnosed with cTBAD, and we discuss potential therapeutic interventions for such cases. Following thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR), computed tomography angiography revealed satisfactory stent-graft positioning, no endoleakage, true lumen enlargement, thrombus formation in the false lumen, and slight enlargement of the true lumen distal to the stent-graft. Computational hemodynamic analyses indicated that the wall shear stress and pressure within the false lumen were significantly reduced following TEVAR. CONCLUSIONTEVAR treatment of cTBAD patients suffering from proximal true lumen collapse can facilitate some degree of effective remodeling.     

Treatment of Stanford type A aortic dissection with triple pre-fenestration,reduced diameter,and three-dimensional-printing techniques: A case report

BACKGROUNDA 63-year-old female was diagnosed with acute Stanford type A aortic dissection. The patient had pain in the chest and back for 1 wk. The computed tomography angiography (CTA) showed Stanford type A aortic dissection (Myla type III aortic arch). The intimal tear was located at the top of the aortic arch and retrograded to the ascending aorta.CASE SUMMARYPreoperatively, a three-dimensional (3D)-printed model of the aortic arch was made according to CTA data. Then, under the guidance of the 3D-printed aortic model, a pre-fenestrated stent-graft was customized, and the diameter of the stent-graft was reduced intraoperatively by surgeons. 3D printing, triple pre-fenestration, and reduced diameter techniques were used during the surgery. The CTA examinations were performed at the 3^rd mo and 1st year after the surgery; the results showed that the aortic dissection was repaired without endoleak, and all three branches of the aortic arch remained unobstructed.CONCLUSIONApplying the triple pre-fenestration technique for aortic arch lesions was feasible and minimally invasive in our case. The technique provides a new avenue for thoracic endovascular aortic repair of Stanford type A aortic dissection.     

Asymptomatic long-segmental type A aortic dissection diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography: A case report and literature review

Aortic dissection (AD) is a life-threatening disease. Patients usually experience severe pain in the chest, back, or abdomen, but some patients report a variety of other symptoms without pain. Completely asymptomatic AD is sporadic and probably under-recognized. The present study aimed to (a) report an extremely rare case of asymptomatic long-segmental type A AD, wherein exaggeratedly low diastolic blood pressure and broad pulse pressure were the primary signs, and (b) summarize the clinical characteristics of asymptomatic AD through the literature review.     

Contemporary insights into the management of type A aortic dissection

Introduction: Acute Type A Dissection remains a surgical emergency with a relatively high operative mortality despite advances in cardiac surgical techniques and medical management over the past thirty years.

Areas covered: In this presentation we will discuss the issues surrounding diagnosis, triage, surgical treatment and perioperative medical management as well as long term surveillance of patients suffering from Acute Type A Dissection and present the literature that supports our management strategies.

Expert commentary: The ultimate goal of surgical intervention for patients with Type A Acute Aortic Dissection is an alive patient. A more complicated operation which addresses the root and arch and potentially reduces late complications should be approached with caution since it may increase the operative mortality of the procedure itself. With the recent evolution in endovascular techniques, there is hope that later complications can be reduced without increasing the risk of the primary operation. It remains to be seen whether the improved distal aortic remodeling afforded by a combined open/endovascular approach to Acute Type A Dissection will lead to decreased need for aortic reinterventions and overall long term complications of a residual descending thoracic chronic dissection.     

主动脉夹层急诊诊治体会(附11例临床分析)

目的:分析主动脉夹层(AD)的临床特征及诱因,提高急诊确诊率。方法:回顾性分析我院2010年1月-2010年6月AD患者的临床资料。结果:11例AD患者中10例首发症状为疼痛,疼痛部位以胸、腹部为主,并发高血压病史者较多;误诊疾病复杂多样,以急腹症居多,首诊误诊率54.5%;治疗上以内科保守治疗为主。结论:AD首发症状主要为剧烈胸腹疼痛,病死率高,早期及时确诊,降低血压、心率可显著降低病死率。     

CT血管造影诊断B型主动脉夹层再破口

目的 评价CT血管造影(CTA)在诊断B型主动脉夹层(AD)再破口中的价值. 方法 分析110例典型B型AD患者的CTA增强扫描及其中70例主动脉数字剪影血管造影(DSA)检查的影像资料,分别统计夹层再破口的数量、位置、大小,对两种检查的结果 采取Kappa一致性检验. 结果 83.64% B型AD患者具有多个再破口,人均再破口(3.41±1.90)个,以腹主动脉中段再破口的数量最多,大破口最常位于夹层最远端.70例CTA与主动脉DSA结果 比较,CTA发现再破口的灵敏度为93.78%,特异度为88.89%,两种检查方法 一致性检验的Kappa值为0.827(P＜0.01). 结论 CTA可清晰显示B型AD再破口的数量、位置及大小等特点,与DSA在显示B型AD再破口方面具有良好的一致性,可作为再破口观察和随访的主要方法.     

Ultrasonographic detection of chronic type A aortic dissection extending to the right extracranial internal carotid artery: A case report

We report the case of a patient with chronic type A aortic dissection (AD), who had been admitted, 18 months ago, to another hospital with acute chest-tearing pain accompanied with transient loss of consciousness. His symptoms resolved but he reported after discharge a toothache and fluctuating right mandibular pain. He presented to our outpatient clinic because his facial pain aggravated. Physical examination demonstrated a bruit over the right carotid artery. Transthoracic echocardiography and carotid sonography demonstrated aortic dissection extending into the extracranial right internal carotid artery (ICA), which was tortuous. The patient refused surgery. This case reminds us that AD can involve the extracranial ICA, and that long-term survival is possible with type A acute AD without treatment. Carotid ultrasonography is noninvasive, inexpensive, easily performed, and can lead to the detection of chronic type A AD extending to the extracranial ICA.     

Type A aortic dissection associated with tension pneumothorax

Both aortic dissection and tension pneumothorax are conditions that require urgent treatments. However, the diagnosis of these emergencies is sometimes challenging because of various symptoms and difficulty obtaining their medical history due to severe conditions. Here, we present the case of a patient with type A aortic dissection associated with tension pneumothorax. This is the second report of such a case worldwide. A 61-year-old man presented to the emergency department with sudden-onset chest and back pain. Upon presentation, his blood pressure was 97/58 mmHg, oxygen saturation on room air was 96%, and respiratory rate was 28 breaths/min. His physical examination revealed no jugular venous distention; however, breath sounds over the left lung were diminished. Bedside chest radiography revealed left tension pneumothorax with mediastinal shift to the right. Needle and chest tube thoracostomies were performed; however, the patient's vital signs did not improve and reexpansion pulmonary edema developed following tube thoracostomy. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed type A thrombosed aortic dissection with bullae in the upper lobe of the left lung. Therefore, the patient was admitted to the intensive care unit, conservatively treated, and discharged without any complications. In conclusion, type A aortic dissection may be associated with tension pneumothorax and should be considered if the patient's vital signs do not improve even after decompression of the tension pneumothorax.     

A survival case of painless chronic type A aortic dissection with a history of stroke and anticoagulant use

We report the case of a patient with completely painless chronic aortic dissection, who presented to another hospital with a left hemiparesia 3 months ago and received anticoagulation therapy with a diagnosis of ischemic stroke. Most of her symptoms had resolved when she presented to our outpatient clinic except for numbness of her left hand and dysphasia. Physical examination found a diastolic murmur at the left sternal border and a bruit over the right carotid artery. Transthoracic echocardiography and carotid sonography demonstrated aortic dissection with extension into the internal right carotid artery and severe aortic regurgitation. Surgery was performed successfully and the patient was discharged. This case emphasizes that the diagnosis of a completely painless aortic dissection with only neurologic symptoms at presentation can be extremely difficult and should always be considered as a cause of ischemic stroke to avoid catastrophic antithrombolytic or anticoagulation therapy. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 38:454–456, 2010     

Acute Aortic Regurgitation with Myocardial Infarction: An Important Clue for Aortic Dissection

Background

Aortic dissection is an important cause of acute chest pain that should be rapidly diagnosed, as mortality increases with each hour this condition is left untreated. The diagnosis can be challenging, especially if concomitant myocardial infarction is present. Echocardiography is an important tool for the differential diagnosis.

Objectives

To stress the importance of recognizing aortic regurgitation for the differentiation of myocardial infarction and aortic dissection.

Case Report

An 80-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with chest pain that was diagnosed as inferior and lateral wall myocardial infarction based on electrocardiographic findings. The diagnosis was reevaluated when aortic regurgitation was detected on echocardiography. Closer inspection of the ascending aorta revealed a dissection flap as the cause of aortic regurgitation.

Conclusion

Detection of aortic regurgitation in a patient with myocardial infarction and normal valves should prompt the search for a possible aortic dissection, whether or not the dissection flap can be visualized.     

Acute type B aortic dissection: update on proper management

This study aims to collect and present all current literature data on the diagnostic and therapeutic management of acute type B aortic dissection. It includes a comprehensive literature search utilizing the following keywords: ‘acute aortic dissection’, ‘type B aortic dissection’, ‘conservative management’, ‘endovascular repair’, ‘open surgery’ and ‘diagnosis’. Uncomplicated acute type B aortic dissection can be effectively managed using conservative management, although open repair is indicated only for complicated cases. Endovascular repair shows promising results in selected patients with increased perioperative risk and without contraindications. Recent evidence supports endovascular repair even in uncomplicated cases, although more data on long-term outcomes are needed. Early risk stratification and evaluation of the patient is crucial for selection of optimal management.     

Biatrial compression caused by intrapericardial hematoma secondary to ruptured type I acute aortic dissection following aortic valve replacement

Ruptured aortic dissection after aortic valve replacement (AVR) is uncommon and rarely diagnosed premortem. We report a patient with a ruptured type I aortic dissection and biatrial tamponade 2 months after AVR caused by loculated intrapericardial hematoma.The diagnosis was made by transthoracic echocardiography and confirmed at operation.     

主动脉夹层37例临床分析

目的：探讨主动脉夹层（AD）的临床特征、早期诊断及治疗。方法：回顾性分析我院2008年1月至2012年9月收治的主动脉夹层患者37例的临床资料。结果：本组37例中,有高血压病史27例（73．0％）,大多血压控制不良。突发起病占73．0％,主要表现为疼痛（91．4％）,胸背痛居多,腹痛、腰痛其次,少数表现有晕厥、气急。疼痛呈撕裂样痛、剧烈闷痛、锐痛;人院时血压升高者占62．8％,1例双上肢血压相差较大,3例主动脉瓣区闻及舒张期杂音;全部病例行主动脉cT造影加三维重建证实,按DeBaKey分型：I型5例,Ⅲ型32例。本院首诊12例,首诊误诊5例（41．7％）。结论：AD的临床症状变化较多,易误诊、漏诊,提高对该病的认识,方能做到早期诊断及治疗。