Acute aortic syndrome – Medicine MCQ

Which of the following is not an acute aortic syndrome?
A) Acute aortic dissection
B) Acute occlusion of aortic bifurcation
C) Intramural hematoma of aorta
D) Perforating ulcer of aorta

Correct answer: B) Acute occlusion of aortic bifurcation

 aortic dissection histologyAortic dissection – Histology

Acute aortic syndrome

  • Acute aortic syndromes are of 3 types:
    • Aortic dissection
    • Aortic intramural hematoma
    • Penetrating ulcer of the aorta.
  • They are an important differential diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome.
  • They are characterised by intense tearing pain, the location of which depends on the underlying lesion
  • In case of involvement of the ascending aorta, pain is felt in the anterior aspect of thorax and neck
  • Pain in the back or the abdomen is seen in involvement of the descending aorta
  • Acute aortic syndromes are seen in association with hypertension and collagen vascular disorders like Marfan syndrome

aortic dissection ctAortic dissection – CT scan

Read more on acute aortic syndromes at: https://cardiophile.org/acute-aortic-syndromes/

Image credits:

  • Aortic dissection – Histology – KGH via http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aortic_dissection_(1)_Victoria_blue-HE.jpg
  • Aortic dissection – CT scan –  James Heilman, MD via http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:DissectionCT.png