ABSTRACT

Acute Type I aortic dissections are fast progressing highly mortal vascular emergencies if management delays. In this particular paper we report a case with a Type I aortic dissection mistreated for first 2 hours as thrombotic AMI, and aortic dissection diagnosis confirmed and treated surgically immediately. 59 years old male patient admitted to emergency room with sudden onset chest pain. Patient was seen by cardiologist and with NSTMI diagnosis admitted to Coronary ICU. With the suspicion of aortic dissection patient was scanned with contrasted thoraco-abdominal CT. Exam revealed subtotal occlusion of ascending aorta by flap of De Bakey Type I aortic dissection. In conclusion aortic dissection should be considered in differential diagnosis of chest pain. Clinical suspicion aortic dissection is key point of diagnosis and immediate confirmation may be life saving.

1. Introduction

Acute Type I aortic dissections are fast progressing highly mortal vascular emergencies if management delays. Autopsy studies showed 50% of patients die in first 48 hours, of remaining 84% die in first month and of survivals 90% will be death at the end of 3 months [1]. Medial degenerasyon (cystic medial necrosis), marfan, turner, noonan and ehlers-danlos syndrome, bicuspid aortic valve, dilated ascending aorta (greater than 5.0 to 5.5 cm), atherosclerosis, aortic coarctation, systemic arterial hypertension, closed chest trauma, pregnancy, aortic cannulation, and intramural hematoma are associated with aortic dissection [2,3]. Aortic dissection may cause to AMI (Acute myocardial Infarction) in 1% - 3% frequency [4]. But management of AMI subsequent to dissection differs from thrombotic AMI. In this particular paper we report a case with a Type I aortic dissection mistreated for first 2 hours as thrombotic AMI, and aortic dissection diagnosis confirmed and treated surgically immediately.

2. Case Report

59 years old male patient admitted to emergency room with sudden onset chest pain and accompanying back pain on 2nd hours of symptoms. Patient was seen by cardiologist and with NSTMI diagnosis admitted to Coronary ICU, antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy was started (Figure 1). Patologic Q wave was seen at inferior EKG derivations. On admittance lab results were as following; wbc: 11.2 K/μL, hb: 12.4 gr/dL, htc: 38%, urea: 39 mg/dL, creatinin: 1.05 mg/dL, Na: 141 mEg/L, K: 4.4 mEg/L, Ca: 9.3 mEg/L, troponin I: 0.65 ng/mL. While patient was in ICU, chest X-ray revealed widened mediastinum (Figure 2). With the suspicion of aortic dissection patient was scanned with contrasted thoraco-abdominal CT. Exam revealed subtotal occlusion of ascending aorta by flap of De Bakey Type I aortic dissection (Figure 3). Patient underwent urgent surgery. After median sternotomy, right femoral and right axillary arterial canulations and right atrial two-stage venous cannulations completed. Venting cannula inserted to right superior pulmonary vein and retrograt cardioplegia cannula introduced in coronary sinus. CPB started and cross clamping was achived. Retrograde cardioplegia started and ascending aorta opened. There was no tear in ascending aorta. On totally circulatuar arrest arcus aorta evaluated. There was a tear on small curvature. Ascending aorta and hemiarcus replaced by using 28 mm Dacron graft. Right coronary artery bypassed by saphenous vein graft. CPB terminated without any problem. Drains and pacing wire were placed and patient went to the cardiovascular intensive care unit.

3. Discussion

Acute type I aortic dissection is a vascular emergency— because needs rapid diagnosis and management that should be focused by cardiologists, thoracic and vascular surgeons. Patients generally present with chest pain and mostly described as sharp, tearing or as ripping [5]. But 15% - 20% of patients may not experience chest pain [6]. Additional to chest and back pain any focal neurological deficit, hypotension, tamponade, hypertension, any pulse deficit, aortic regurgitation and abdominal pain may be the main complain of patients with aortic dissection [7]. Because of arch vessel occlusion, stroke occurs in 5% to 10% of patients with type I dissection [8]. Type I dissection also causes paraplegia, oliguria and anuria. Suspicion of aortic dissection plays a key point in clinical diagnosis because symptoms, signs, ECG and chest radiograph changes are not sensitive nor specific [9]. But after clinical suspicious, diagnosis is confirmed with some form of imaging studies (computerized tomography, tran-

sesophageal echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging, or aortography). Aortic dissection is rarely diagnosed immediately, but mostly diagnosis delays may also infrequently be misdiagnosed [10,11]. In the case of aortic dissection suspicion management algorithm may be beneficial [12,13], (Table 1). The ECG and Cardiac troponin estimations are primarily used to facilitate acute coronary syndromes and do not discriminate between acute coronary syndrome and dissection [14].

Malperfusion phenomenon after dissection can be in several ways; it might occur due to fixed or dynamic flap occlusion of the aorta or branch artery or secondary to compromised flow in the supplying false lumen or true lumen due to thrombosis of the former and compression of the latter [15]. 10% - 15% of cases are due to coronary malperfusion [16]. In literature it is reported that RCA is more vulnerable to be effected from aortic dissection comparing to left coronary arterial system [10]. Half of the patients with coronary malperfusion first diagnosed as acute coronary syndrome and treated with antiplatelet and thrombolytic therapy.

Coronary artery disease rate in patients with type I aortic dissection is believed to be low. In emergency cases it is not an obligation to have a coronary angiography to these patients [17]. Because catheterization may cause aortic rupture or aortic malperfusion and also catheterization may delay operation [13]. But in stable patients, coronary angiography may be applied.

Surgical resection of ascending aorta in patients with type I aortic dissection is standard treatment [18]. Aim of surgery is resection and replacement with prosthetic graft of ascending and/or arch of aorta segment effected with intimal tear [18]. Operative technique is decided due to condition of aortic valve, coronary ostiums and experience of surgeon. Right hemiarch replacement (27%), aortic-valve replacement (24%), and coronary artery bypass (15%) might be needed [7]. Endovascular stent graft

Table 1. Initial management pathways in suspected acute aortic dissection (BP: blood pressure, ECG: electrocardiogram).

placement may be combined to these procedures but management are unclear [19] IRAD study reported mortality of type I aortic dissection after surgical treatment as 24% [7].

In our case, due to patient’s symptom was typical angina and cardiac troponin levels were elevated without ECG change NSTMI was first diagnosis. And treatment started with antiplatelet and thrombolytic regimens. After chest X-ray, dissection was suspected and thoracic CT scan was applied and diagnosis of type I aortic dissection was confirmed.

In conclusion aortic dissection should be considered in differential diagnosis of chest pain. Clinical suspicion aortic dissection is key point of diagnosis and immediate confirmation may be life saving.

REFERENCES

NOTES

^*Corresponding author.