[Differential diagnostic value of clinical symptoms of aortic dissection]

Acute aortic dissection is a relatively common catastrophic illness, in which the circulation of any major artery arising from the aorta may be compromised and any organ or organ system may become ischemic. Hereby a protean clinical picture may be developed. This disease is characterized by migration of symptoms which may be difficult to evaluate. It is expedient to range the various symptoms produced by aortic dissection among cardiac, pulmonary, cerebral and neurologic, abdominal and renal groups. This may be especially helpful diagnostically if more than one system has been involved. An accurate differential diagnosis can be made if the history and presented signs are carefully evaluated.