Fever associated with acute aortic dissection

Although fever is a common accompanying feature of acute aortic dissection, few reports have been published concerning the duration and character of this fever.

The mean duration of fever was calculated for a total of 57 patients with acute aortic dissection, who were then divided into 2 groups: those with duration of fever shorter than the mean (Group A) and those with duration of fever equal to or longer than the mean (Group B). The reduction in false lumen size and hematological parameters were compared between groups. The mean duration of fever was 15.9+/-11 days. The false lumen reduction ratio was significantly higher in Group A (18.3+/-5.0%) than in Group B (2.0+/-5.3%). There was a significant negative correlation between the false lumen reduction ratio and duration of fever. Hematological parameters did not differ significantly between the 2 groups except for fibrin degradation product, although the white blood cell count and platelet counts and C-reactive protein concentration tended to be higher in Group B.

Checking for fever is important in assessing the status of individual cases of acute aortic dissection.