Aortic dissection differential diagnosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]

Overview

Aortic dissection is a life threatening entity that must be distinguished from other life threatening entities such as cardiac tamponade, cardiogenic shock, myocardial infarction, and pulmonary embolism. An aortic aneurysm is not synonymous with aortic dissection. Aneurysms are defined as a localized permanent dilation of the aorta to a diameter > 50% of normal.

Differentiating Aortic dissection from other Diseases

• Aortic regurgitation
• Aortic stenosis
• Cardiac tamponade
• Cardiogenic shock
• Gastroenteritis
• Hemorrhagic shock
• Hernias
• Hypertensive emergencies
• Hypovolemic shock
• Mechanical back pain
• Myocardial infarction
• Myocarditis
• Myopathies
• Pancreatitis
• Pericarditis
• Peripheral vascular injuries
• Pleural effusion
• Pulmonary embolism
• Thoracic outlet syndrome