Original Article

A Retrospective Analysis of Patients Admitted to our Clinic with Aortic Dissection

10.5152/jaem.2011.035

  • Ayhan Sarıtaş
  • Harun Güneş
  • Hayati Kandiş
  • Mehmet Çıkman
  • Melik Çandar
  • Semih Korkut
  • Cemil Kul

Received Date: 18.04.2011 Accepted Date: 13.05.2011 Eurasian J Emerg Med 2011;10(4):152-155

Objective:

In this retrospective study, we aimed to manifest some clinical, radiologic and demographical features of patients which were admitted to our emergency department and diagnosed with aortic dissection.

Materials and Methods:

Records of patients diagnosed with aortic dissection in our Emergency Department during March 2009-March 2011 were scanned retrospectively. Patients’ gender, age, complaints (chest pain, backache, abdominal pain, syncope, dizziness and other), presence of mediastinal widening on tele cardiograph and presence of fleb on echocardiograph were recorded.

Results:

Total 12 patients (8 males, 4 females) were included into the study. Mean age was 63.5±19.0 (minimum 28, maximum 85). Complaints were chest pain (50%), backache (25%), abdominal pain (25%), syncope (25%) and dizziness (16.7%), respectively. There was a pulse difference between the two arms in 25% of patients. However, mediastinal widening was present in 50% of patients. Eight patients (67%) have a fleb on echocardiograph. Eight patients had Standford Type A and five of patients had De Bakey Type 1 aortic dissection. There were no statistical differences between dissection types and gender (p>0.5). Eleven patients were referred to another hospital, and one of patients died.

Conclusion:

We thought that in clinical doubt of aortic dissection which is diagnosed with difficulty, bedside echocardiographic evaluation will provide convenience for emergency physicians in emergency departments.

Keywords: Aortic dissection, diagnose, emergency department