Importance of Multiple-window Assessment for the Diagnosis of Ascending Aortic Dissection Using Point-of-care Ultrasound: Report of Three Cases

Clin Pract Cases Emerg Med. 2019 Aug 5;3(4):333-337. doi: 10.5811/cpcem.2019.6.43245. eCollection 2019 Nov.

Abstract

Acute ascending aortic dissection has a high mortality rate and requires rapid diagnosis and treatment. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) can aid in the diagnosis. The aortic root is usually evaluated in the parasternal long-axis view; however, a dissection flap is not always visible in this projection. We present three cases of acute, type A aortic dissection in which the dissection flap was only evident in the apical five-chamber and subxyphoid views. These cases suggest that POCUS may play a pivotal role in the initial diagnosis of acute ascending aortic dissection and highlight the importance of viewing multiple windows to fully evaluate this possibility.

Publication types

  • Case Reports