45-year-old male with acute chest pain radiating to the back and hypertension
Type A or type B dissection?
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Type B, entry zone/intimal tear after left subclavian artery.
False lumen often of lower contrast density due to delayed opacification, as in this case. Origin of coeliac trunk, SMA and right renal artery usually from true lumen and origin of left renal artery usually from false lumen.
Teaching point: Notice that dissection continues in the SMA with intramural thrombus. Usually no fear of bowel ischemia due to arc of Riolan with IMA
Notice in this case: Right renal artery comes off from false lumen and dissection continues in it. Right kidney parenchyma enhances less than left, due to hypoperfusion, high risk of ischemia.
Aortic Dissection Stanford type B
What are possible complications of an aortic dissection?
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* Dissection and occlusion of branch vessels
* Abdominal organ ischaemia
* Distal thromboembolism
* Aneurysmal dilatation: this is an indication for endovascular or surgical intervention
* Aortic rupture
What is the appropriate management?
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Aggressive blood pressure control with beta blockers as they reduce both blood pressure and also heart rate hence reduce extra pressure on the aortic wall.
In this case: Complicated type B dissection and persistent hypertension led to Bentall thoracic surgery with stent, due to risk of proximal continuation in ascending aorta, coronaries and neck vessels.
Disecting aortic aneurysm
A nice case with a very simple and valuable explanation.