Key result
A female in her early 40s presenting with atypical neurological symptoms died from cardiac arrest, with post-mortem revealing hemopericardium secondary to ascending thoracic aortic dissection.
Why the study?
Aortic dissection presents with diverse and atypical symptoms, making it challenging to diagnose.
Case Report (n=1)
No
This case highlights the critical need for a high index of suspicion for acute aortic dissection in patients presenting with atypical neurological symptoms and risk factors such as hypertension.
May prompt consideration of aortic dissection in atypical neurological presentations with hypertension; leaves open prospective validation of diagnostic impact.
Aortic dissection (AD) is a life-threatening condition that presents with diverse and atypical symptoms, making it challenging to diagnose. We present a case of a woman in her 40s who presented to the emergency department with collapse, right-sided weakness, agitation, and confusion. Despite efforts, she went into cardiac arrest and died before a definitive diagnosis was made. The post-mortem examination revealed hemopericardium due to dissection of the ascending thoracic aorta as the cause of death. This case highlights the difficulty in diagnosing AD and the need for a high index of suspicion, especially in patients presenting with neurological symptoms and risk factors.
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Azhar et al. (2023) conducted a case report in Acute Aortic Dissection (n=1). Acute Aortic Dissection was evaluated. A female in her early 40s presenting with atypical neurological symptoms died from cardiac arrest, with post-mortem revealing hemopericardium secondary to ascending thoracic aortic dissection.
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