A Case of Stanford Type A Aortic Dissection Presenting as Syncope and Neurologic Deficits Without Pain: Diagnostic Pitfalls and a Therapeutic Dilemma

TL;DR

A 59-year-old man with uncontrolled hypertension presented with syncope and neurological issues, not typical chest pain, leading to a delayed diagnosis of aortic dissection.

Contribution

Highlights diagnostic challenges of atypical aortic dissection presentations and suggests simulation training for emergency clinicians.

Findings

Aortic dissection was diagnosed in a patient presenting with syncope and neurological deficits, not typical chest pain.

Emergency surgical repair led to good recovery after initial misdiagnosis as acute coronary syndrome.

Simulation training for atypical aortic dissection cases is recommended to improve diagnostic accuracy.

Abstract

Acute aortic dissection (AAD) is a true medical emergency that classically presents with sudden severe tearing chest pain that may radiate to the back or with tearing abdominal pain. When it presents atypically without pain, diagnostic delays or misdiagnosis are common, often with devastating consequences. We report the case of a 59-year-old male with uncontrolled hypertension who first presented to an outside emergency department (ED) with multiple collapses and was discharged after assessment. He presented 48 hours later to our ED following collapse and loss of consciousness. The patient was in shock upon arrival. Transient right upper limb weakness and slurring of speech were noted on initial assessment. Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with cardiogenic shock was suspected on the basis of electrocardiographic (ECG) changes and raised troponin, and ACS treatment was administered. However, bedside echocardiogram performed to assess left ventricular function as part of the ACS work-up suggested Stanford type A AAD, which was confirmed by computed tomogram (CT) of the aorta. Emergency surgical repair of the aorta was performed after transfer to a tertiary hospital, with good postoperative recovery. This case highlights the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for aortic dissection in patients presenting with syncope and neurological deficits even in the absence of classical symptoms. Simulation training specifically tailored to scenarios of atypical presentations of AAD may be of benefit to emergency clinicians and help reduce the unacceptably high rate of misdiagnosis.

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