Thrombolytic therapy and acute aortic dissection.
Thrombolytic (tissue plasminogen activator) and antithrombotic treatment (heparin and aspirin) were given to a 47-year-old man with an acute type II aortic dissection presenting as an acute anterior myocardial infarction. During treatment he developed cardiac tamponade and an ischaemic stroke. Transoesophageal echocardiography (but not computed tomographies of the chest) revealed the correct diagnosis. After surgical repair (Bentall procedure) there was a complete recovery.
Mertens
D
D
Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium.
Herregods
M C
MC
van de Werf
F
F
D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004452:Echocardiography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*
D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator