Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Presenting as a Subacute Cough

Abstract

The suprasternal aortic notch cardiac point of care ultrasound (POCUS) window is a useful view for evaluating thoracic aortic pathologies. However, it is not routinely included in the standard cardiac POCUS exam despite its ability to capture emergent pathologies such as aortic dissection and thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA). Ruptured aortic aneurysms can present with sudden, severe chest or back pain, as well as hemodynamic instability, resulting in a high mortality. We present an atypical case of a patient with hemoptysis who was found to have a contained aortic rupture. In this case, POCUS, specifically the suprasternal aortic notch view, was used to expedite definitive care.

Keywords: Suprasternal aortic view; aortic aneurysm.