title: Aortic dissection and use of the nicotine patch: a case involving a temporal relationship.
abstract: A 33-year-old woman presented with chest and abdominal pain shortly after first and second applications of the nicotine patch. Type A aortic dissection was diagnosed and repaired. Pathological examination revealed cystic medial necrosis, subacute and acute dissection, with no evidence of chronic aortic insufficiency. The close temporal relationship between applications of the nicotine patch and onset of symptoms compatible with dissection followed by extension raises the possibility that the nicotine patch was implicated in, or precipitated, this woman's aortic dissection.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario.
authors.forename: G V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Ropchan
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Sanfilippo
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Ford
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000139:chemically induced*; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016540:Smoking Cessation
chemical_list: D009538:Nicotine