Key result
A 52-year-old male with acute aortic dissection type A was initially misdiagnosed with myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism, receiving contraindicated antithrombotic therapy before correct diagnosis and successful surgical repair.
Case Report (n=1)
This case highlights the critical importance of maintaining a high clinical suspicion for acute aortic dissection in patients with severe chest pain and shock to avoid catastrophic misdiagnosis and inappropriate administration of antithrombotics.
Emphasizes caution with antithrombotics in undifferentiated shock; leaves open whether education reduces dissection misdiagnosis.
In the absence of diagnostic imaging, chest pain can represent a diagnostic dilemma, especially, if the patient’s condition requires immediate action. We present a case of a patient with signs of obstructive shock that turned out to result from an acute aortic dissection (AAD) and consequent cardiac tamponade. Before the correct diagnosis was made, myocardial infarction and/or pulmonary embolism were suspected and the patient was treated with antithrombotic and anticoagulant drugs, which are contraindicated in AAD. We discuss the correct procedures and treatment in suspected AAD.
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Makuc et al. (2010) conducted a case report in Acute aortic dissection type A (n=1). Misdiagnosis and inappropriate antithrombotic/anticoagulant treatment was evaluated. A 52-year-old male with acute aortic dissection type A was initially misdiagnosed with myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism, receiving contraindicated antithrombotic therapy before correct diagnosis and successful surgical repair.
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