title: Aortic dissection associated with blunt chest trauma diagnosed by elevated D-dimer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Similar to spontaneous aortic dissection, traumatic aortic dissection is diagnosed with a careful history and physical exam, chest radiograph, and ultimately, dedicated aortic imaging. The diagnosis of spontaneous aortic dissection may be aided by using the serum D-dimer test. The use of D-dimer for diagnosing aortic injury in the setting of blunt trauma has not previously been reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present a case of aortic dissection in a 61-year-old male diagnosed when the patient presented with chest pain after blunt chest trauma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The patient had no known history or risk factors for aortic disease. None of the classic findings were present by history, physical examination or chest radiograph and the diagnosis was made as the result of an elevated D-dimer. We discuss how the D-dimer test fortuitously led to the diagnosis in this case, and the implications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  D-dimer could be helpful in diagnosing aortic injuries in low-risk chest trauma patients.
authors: Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency, Department of Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Neville House - 236A, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
authors: Joshua L
authors: JL
authors: Penn
authors: Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency, Department of Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Neville House - 236A, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
authors: Jennfier L
authors: JL
authors: Martindale
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Zero Emerson Place, Suite 3B, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA.
authors: Leslie W
authors: LW
authors: Milne
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Zero Emerson Place, Suite 3B, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA. Electronic address: kmarill@mgh.harvard.edu.
authors: Keith A
authors: KA
authors: Marill
keywords: Aortic dissection; Bovine-type aortic arch; Chest trauma; D-dimer