Question

Can you differentiate the various arterial disorders? For each disorder, drag and drop the statements that apply to the disorder to the box.

Aortic Dissection

- Foam cell formation
- Sudden onset of symptoms including chest pain and tearing sound
- Antigen excess deposited in arterial walls
- Fusiform and saccular shapes
- 33% of patients die within the first 24 hours
- Surgical repair required
- Blood pressure differential between right and left arm

Answer 1

Aortic Dissection

Blood pressure differential between right and left arm

Sudden onset of symptoms including chest pain and tearing sound

Surgical repair required

33% of patients die within first 24 hours

Aortic dissection is a life-threatening condition in which a tear in the inner layer of the aortic wall appears. Blood pours into the tear, separating (dissecting) the inner layer from the middle layer. If the tear ruptures, death may result. Almost one-third of patients with aortic dissection die within the first 24 hours. Surgical repair of the tear is needed. Signs and symptoms include a sudden onset of severe chest pain. Depending on the location of the dissection, blood flow to either arm may be compromised, resulting in a difference in pressure between the arms.