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Extensive anterior chest wall ecchymosis as a sign of subacute type A aortic dissection

Pinar Yazici1, Kursad Oz, Omer Celik

  • 1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Istanbul Mehmet Akif Ersoy Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. drpinaryazici@gmail.com

Interactive Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery
|July 14, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Subacute type A aortic dissection can cause chest wall ecchymosis due to arterial branch progression. This rare presentation requires prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention for a favorable outcome.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Vascular Surgery
  • Thoracic Medicine

Background:

  • A 66-year-old male presented with chest and back pain, and extensive chest wall ecchymosis.
  • Medical history was negative for trauma or resuscitation, but recent coronary angiography was noted.

Observation:

  • Diagnosis of subacute type A aortic dissection was established.
  • The chest wall ecchymosis was suspected to result from dissection extension into thoracic wall vasculature.

Findings:

  • Perioperative observation confirmed the aortic dissection.
  • Surgical intervention involved a hemiarch replacement.

Implications:

  • This case highlights a rare but significant manifestation of aortic dissection.
  • Prompt diagnosis and surgical management are crucial for improving patient outcomes in such cases.

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