Abstract
A 73-year-old woman with previous coronary artery bypass grafting presented with acute pleuritic type chest pain, decreased oxygen saturations and markedly elevated D-dimers. Acute pulmonary embolism was suspected and because of hypotension an emergency transthoracic echocardiogram was performed to assess pulmonary hypertension. This revealed an acute type A aortic dissection. This case highlights the importance of transthoracic echocardiography as a simple noninvasive tool in the evaluation of chest pain. It also highlights more importantly the relationship of acute aortic dissection and elevated D-dimers which is of tremendous significance to the practising clinician when it comes to patient care and safety.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | E77-E78 |
Journal | International Journal of Cardiology |
Volume | 114 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 8 Jan 2007 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Aortic dissection
- Chest pain
- D-dimers
- Echocardiography