Aortic dissection physical examination

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Aortic dissection Microchapters

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Case #1


Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2] Sahar Memar Montazerin, M.D.[3]

Overview

Aortic dissection is commonly associated with varying blood pressure (pseudohypotension or hypertension or hypotension), wide pulse pressure (if the aortic root is involved causing aortic insufficiency), tachycardia, pulsus paradoxus, swollen face due to superior vena cava compression (superior vena cava syndrome). In proximal dissections involving aortic root, aortic insufficiency is a complication, and on physical examination an early diastolic decrescendo murmur, which is best heard in the right second intercostal space is noted.

Physical Examination

Vitals

Pulse

Rate
Strength

Blood Pressure

Pseudohypotension (falsely low blood pressure measurement) may occur due to involvement of the brachiocephalic artery (supplying the right arm) or the left subclavian artery (supplying the left arm).

While many patients with an aortic dissection have a history of hypertension, the blood pressure is quite variable among patients with acute aortic dissection, and tends to be higher in individuals with a distal dissection. In individuals with a proximal aortic dissection, 36% present with hypertension, while 25% present with hypotension. In those that present with distal aortic dissections, 70% present with hypertension while 4% present with hypotension. A wide pulse pressure may be present if acute aortic insufficiency develops.

Severe hypotension at presentation is a grave prognostic indicator. It is usually associated with pericardial tamponade, severe aortic insufficiency, or rupture of the aorta. Accurate measurement of the blood pressure is important.

HEENT

Lungs

Heart

Aortic Insufficiency

Aortic insufficiency occurs in 1/2 to 2/3 of ascending aortic dissections, and the murmur of aortic insufficiency is audible in about 32% of proximal dissections. The intensity (loudness) of the murmur is dependent on the blood pressure and may be inaudible in the event of hypotension. Aortic insufficiency is more commonly associated with type I or type II dissection. The murmur of aortic insufficiency (AI) due to aortic dissection is best heard at the right 2nd intercostal space (ICS), as compared with the lower left sternal border for AI due to primary aortic valvular disease.

Cardiac Tamponade

In addition to the Beck's triad and pulsus paradoxus the following can be found on cardiovascular examination:

Extremities

Diminution or absence of pulses is found in up to 40% of patients, and occurs due to occlusion of a major aortic branch. For this reason it is critical to assess the pulse and blood pressure in both arms. The iliac arteries may be affected as well.

Neurologic

Physical Examination Findings associated with High Pretest Probability of Aortic Dissection (DO NOT EDIT)[3]

Physical Examination Findings
  • Evidence of insufficient blood supply:
    • Absent pulse
    • Systolic blood pressure difference
    • Focal neurological deficit (along with pain)
  • Aortic diastolic murmur (new and with pain)
  • Hypotension or shock

2014 ESC Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Aortic Diseases (DO NOT EDIT)[3]

Clinical Assessment of Patients Suspicious of Aortic Dissection (DO NOT EDIT)[3]

Class I
"In all patients with suspected AAS, pre-test probability assessment is recommended, according to the patient’s condition, symptoms, and clinical features.[4](Level of Evidence: B)"

2010 ACCF/AHA/AATS/ACR/ASA/SCA/SCAI/SIR/STS/SVM Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Patients with Thoracic Aortic Disease (DO NOT EDIT) [5]

History and Physical Examination for Thoracic Aortic Disease (DO NOT EDIT)[5]

Class I
"1. For patients presenting with a history of acute cardiac and non cardiac symptoms associated with a significant likelihood of thoracic aortic disease, the clinician should perform a focused physical examination, including a careful and complete search for arterial perfusion differentials in both upper and lower extremities, evidence of visceral ischemia, focal neurological deficits, a murmur of aortic regurgitation, bruits, and findings compatible with possible cardiac tamponade.[6][7][8] (Level of Evidence: C)"

References

  1. Gwinnutt, C., Driscoll, P. (Eds) (2003) (2nd Ed.) Trauma Resuscitation: The Team Approach. Oxford: BIOS Scientific Publishers Ltd. ISBN 978-1859960097
  2. Dolan, B., Holt, L. (2000). Accident & Emergency: Theory into practice. London: Bailliere Tindall ISBN 978-0702022395
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Erbel R, Aboyans V, Boileau C, Bossone E, Bartolomeo RD, Eggebrecht H, Evangelista A, Falk V, Frank H, Gaemperli O, Grabenwöger M, Haverich A, Iung B, Manolis AJ, Meijboom F, Nienaber CA, Roffi M, Rousseau H, Sechtem U, Sirnes PA, Allmen RS, Vrints CJ (November 2014). "2014 ESC Guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of aortic diseases: Document covering acute and chronic aortic diseases of the thoracic and abdominal aorta of the adult. The Task Force for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Aortic Diseases of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC)". Eur. Heart J. 35 (41): 2873–926. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehu281. PMID 25173340.
  4. Evangelista, Arturo; Isselbacher, Eric M.; Bossone, Eduardo; Gleason, Thomas G.; Eusanio, Marco Di; Sechtem, Udo; Ehrlich, Marek P.; Trimarchi, Santi; Braverman, Alan C.; Myrmel, Truls; Harris, Kevin M.; Hutchinson, Stuart; O’Gara, Patrick; Suzuki, Toru; Nienaber, Christoph A.; Eagle, Kim A. (2018). "Insights From the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection". Circulation. 137 (17): 1846–1860. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.117.031264. ISSN 0009-7322.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Hiratzka LF, Bakris GL, Beckman JA, Bersin RM, Carr VF, Casey DE; et al. (2010). "2010 ACCF/AHA/AATS/ACR/ASA/SCA/SCAI/SIR/STS/SVM guidelines for the diagnosis and management of patients with Thoracic Aortic Disease: a report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines, American Association for Thoracic Surgery, American College of Radiology, American Stroke Association, Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, Society of Interventional Radiology, Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and Society for Vascular Medicine". Circulation. 121 (13): e266–369. doi:10.1161/CIR.0b013e3181d4739e. PMID 20233780.
  6. Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, et al. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier Health Sciences, 2008.
  7. Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, et al. Braunwald’s Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 8th ed. Philadelphia: 2007.
  8. Isselbacher E. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier Health Sciences, 2008.

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