A Case of Acute Aortic Dissection with Dynamic ST Changes in Electrocardiogram

ABSTRACT

Acute aortic dissection is the most common catastrophic illness of the aorta. Left untreated, about 75% of patients with dissections involving the ascending aorta die within 2 weeks of an acute episode, but survival may be significantly improved by the timely institution of diagnostic modalities and appropriate medical and surgical therapy. But, approximately 10-20% of patients with acute aortic dissection present with a clinical picture of acute myocardial infarction. This sometimes can not only delay the diagnosis and adequate treatment of acute aortic dissection but also inappropriately treat with thrombolytic agents and anticoagulants which result in rapid deterioration of clinical condition of patient. We report a case of acute aortic dissection with dynamic ST changes in electrocardiogram which resulted in delay of accurate diagnosis and adequate treatment of acute aortic dissection.