Title of article :
Painless aortic dissection with slurred speech (Neurologic symptom)
Author/Authors :
Rayat Dost, Esmaeal Department of Emergency Medicine - Jahrom University of Medical sciences, Jahrom, Iran , Barazandehpour, Saeed Department of Emergency Medicine - Kerman University of Medical sciences, Kerman, Iran , Kalini, Navid Research center for social Determinants of Health - Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran , Abiri, Samaneh Department of Emergency Medicine - Jahrom University of Medical sciences, Jahrom, Iran
Abstract :
Introduction: Aortic dissection is an uncommon disorder with a high mortality rate, especially
if misdiagnosis and mistreatment are not considered.
Case Presentation: We present a 67-year old female with slurred speech and left sided
plegia during her brother’s funeral. The patient did not have any chest pain. she was referred
to our emergency department by emergency medicine service due to being suspicious of
cerebrovascular accident (CVA) )as code 724). However, owing to low blood pressure and
atypical symptoms of the patient, we did rapid ultrasound for shock and hypotension (RUSH)
exam in the emergency department to detect aortic dissection. After doing the computed
tomography (CT) angiography, the diagnosis of aortic dissection was confirmed. As the
vascular surgeon was not present in our surgery department, we transferred the patient to
Namazi hospital by air ambulance to undergo the surgery. She was discharged from hospital
with complete recovery.
Conclusion: Aortic dissection symptoms can be manifested in different ways such as
pulmonary embolism, acute coronary syndrome, and CVA. Therefore, clinicians must always
have the differential diagnosis of aortic dissection in their mind and be aware of its various
manifestations.
Keywords :
Aortic dissection , CVA , Neurologic symptom , Cerebrovascular accident
Journal title :
Journal of Emergency Practice and Trauma