Last Updated on July 17, 2022
“Aortic dissection is uncommon. However, if it occurs, the mortality rate is very high”
Presentation
• Always presents as a hypertensive emergency
Clinical Features
Signs
• Different in BP at both arms [1], i.e. discrepancy of SBP >20 mmHg between both arms [2] Radio radial delay Description • Disparity between timing and amplitude of radial pulses when palpated simultaneously at right and left radial pulse region Significance • A (early) sign of aortic dissection
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Radio-radial delay
[1]×Radio-radial delay
References
- Atypical presentation of acute aortic dissection in a young competitive rower
- Bilateral Blood Pressure Differential as a Reliable Sign of Acute Aortic Dissection
Take Home Message
1. In the setting of hypertensive emergency, keep BP and HR low – aim BP <120/80 mmHg and HR <60 within 1 hour of initiation of antihypertensive