title: D-dimer serum levels in a case of type B aortic dissection. A rapid test for the early diagnosis of acute aortic disease?
abstract: This article reports on a case of acute type B aortic dissection presenting with electrocardiographic abnormalities mimicking an acute coronary syndrome, associated with high D-dimer levels in the acute phase and normalization in the chronic phase of the disease process. This case report is consistent with recent data from the literature suggesting that D-dimer levels might be a useful biochemical tool in the diagnostic work-up of patients with suspected acute aortic dissection.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, University of Brescia, Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy. antonio.d_aloia@virgilio.it
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Aloia
authors.forename: Pompilio
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Faggiano
authors.forename: Loretta
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brentana
authors.forename: Livio
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dei Cas
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; C036309:fibrin fragment D