title: Clinical case of the month. Chest pain, diaphoresis, and dyspnea in a hypertensive 53-year-old man.
abstract: Aortic dissection is a life-threatening condition requiring urgent diagnosis and treatment. The initial challenge for the physician lies in distinguishing aortic dissection from more common conditions such as myocardial infarction that also are characterized by chest pain. Subsequent management depends on imaging techniques that define whether just the descending aorta is affected or its more proximal portions as well. Mortality and morbidity are high, especially when the ascending aorta is involved.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Louisiana State University School of Medicine, New Orleans, USA.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Awtrey
authors.forename: Shaminder
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Glenn P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Kelley
authors.forename: D Luke
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Glancy
authors.forename: Lynn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: Fred A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Lopez
mesh_terms: D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013546:Sweating