Key result
Aortic dissection can present atypically with neurological symptoms such as altered mental status and decerebrate posturing without chest pain, requiring a high index of suspicion.
Why the study?
Aortic dissection can manifest in numerous ways with a broad differential diagnosis, requiring a high index of suspicion to promptly diagnose this life-threatening condition.
Case Report (n=1)
Aortic dissection can present atypically as syncope or seizure, necessitating a high index of suspicion for timely, life-saving diagnosis.
High suspicion for aortic dissection remains essential in unexplained syncope or seizure; this case extends the phenotypic spectrum but leaves prevalence and algorithms open.
The authors present a case of syncope that was caused by aortic dissection. As the main artery to the system circulation, aortic dissection can manifest in numerous ways. This case reminds the clinician of the high index of suspicion necessary to diagnose this potentially life-threatening problem. Indeed, the mortality rate increases 2% per hour in the first 24 hours for a type A aortic dissection, so prompt diagnosis is imperative. The diagnostic complexity in this case is compounded by the very broad differential diagnosis for both aortic dissection and syncope.
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Rivera-Alvarez et al. (2021) conducted a case report in Aortic dissection (n=1). Aortic dissection was evaluated. Aortic dissection can present atypically with neurological symptoms such as altered mental status and decerebrate posturing without chest pain, requiring a high index of suspicion.
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