Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 19, 2026

Novel and Innovative Hybrid Technique for Type A Aortic Dissection
06:26

Novel and Innovative Hybrid Technique for Type A Aortic Dissection

Published on: March 28, 2025

1.3K

What Lies behind the Ischemic Stroke: Aortic Dissection?

Turgut Deniz1, Ersel Dag2, Murat Tulmac3

  • 1Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kirikkale University, 71350 Kirikkale, Turkey.

Case Reports in Emergency Medicine
|December 30, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Aortic dissection (AD) can mimic stroke symptoms like vertigo and loss of consciousness. Early diagnosis of AD involving carotid arteries is crucial for appropriate surgical intervention, not fibrinolytic treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Neurology
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Aortic dissection (AD) can present with atypical symptoms beyond chest pain, including neurological deficits.
  • Carotid artery involvement in AD can lead to diverse clinical manifestations, such as stroke or headache.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the importance of considering aortic dissection in patients presenting with neurological symptoms.
  • To emphasize the diagnostic challenges and management implications of AD involving the carotid arteries.

Main Methods:

  • A case report of a 71-year-old woman presenting with vertigo and altered consciousness.
  • Diagnostic workup included diffusion-weighted MRI of the brain, echocardiography, and CT angiography.
  • Initial treatment plan for fibrinolysis was altered upon diagnosis of aortic dissection.

Main Results:

  • Brain MRI revealed acute cerebral ischemia.
  • CT angiography confirmed aortic dissection extending from the aortic arch to the common carotid arteries.
  • Surgical intervention was deemed necessary after diagnosis.

Conclusions:

  • Aortic dissection should be considered in emergency department presentations of altered consciousness and stroke, especially when carotid artery involvement is suspected.
  • Inadequate patient history (anamnesis) can obscure the diagnosis of AD.
  • Prompt and accurate diagnosis is critical for appropriate treatment strategy, differentiating between medical and surgical management.

More Related Videos

Multimodality Diagnosis of Mesenteric Ischemia05:07

Multimodality Diagnosis of Mesenteric Ischemia

Published on: July 21, 2023

1.5K
Author Spotlight: Using Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Comprehensive Evaluation of the Abdominal Aorta07:12

Author Spotlight: Using Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Comprehensive Evaluation of the Abdominal Aorta

Published on: September 8, 2023

4.9K

Related Concept Videos

Ischemic Stroke l: Introduction01:15

Ischemic Stroke l: Introduction

Ischemic stroke is an acute cerebrovascular condition in which blood flow to a brain region is suddenly interrupted, leading to tissue infarction. Neurons depend on continuous oxygen and glucose supply, so even brief reductions in perfusion cause energy failure, ionic imbalance, and irreversible injury. Ischemic strokes are classified into thrombotic and embolic types based on their underlying mechanisms.Thrombotic MechanismsThrombotic stroke develops when a clot forms within a cerebral artery.
3
Transient Ischemic Attack l: Introduction01:26

Transient Ischemic Attack l: Introduction

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a brief episode of neurological dysfunction caused by a temporary, focal reduction in cerebral blood flow. Although symptoms resemble those of an ischemic stroke, the interruption in perfusion is short-lived and does not cause permanent infarction. TIAs are clinically important because they often serve as early warning events for future stroke.Mechanisms of Transient Cerebral IschemiaTransient cerebral ischemia may arise through several mechanisms. One...
Ischemic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology01:15

Ischemic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology

An ischemic stroke occurs when a cerebral blood vessel becomes obstructed, most often by a thrombus or embolus, interrupting the delivery of oxygen and glucose to brain tissue. Because neurons rely on continuous aerobic metabolism, energy failure begins within minutes of reduced perfusion. The region receiving the least blood flow becomes the infarct core, an area of irreversible cellular death. Surrounding this core lies the penumbra, a zone of hypoperfused but still viable tissue that is...
2
Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:21

Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

Thoracic, aortic arch and abdominal aneurysms are significant vascular conditions that can present with various clinical manifestations and lead to serious complications. Understanding these manifestations and the appropriate diagnostic studies is essential for effective management and treatment.Thoracic Aortic AneurysmsThoracic aortic aneurysms often remain asymptomatic until they reach a size that impinges on adjacent structures. They typically cause deep, diffuse chest pain that radiates to...
562
Aneurysm III: Interprofessional Care01:26

Aneurysm III: Interprofessional Care

Aneurysm management involves either conservative medical therapy or surgical intervention, depending on the size and symptoms of the aneurysm. Conservative management is generally reserved for smaller, asymptomatic aneurysms, while larger or symptomatic aneurysms often necessitate surgical repair.Conservative Medical TherapyFor small, asymptomatic aneurysms, particularly abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) less than 5.5 centimeters in diameter, conservative medical therapy is recommended. This...
465
Ischemic Heart Disease: Overview01:17

Ischemic Heart Disease: Overview

Ischemic heart disease occurs when the heart's blood supply dwindles, causing an ominous lack of oxygen and nutrients. This deficiency, stemming from reduced or obstructed blood flow, spells danger, leading to heart muscle damage and dysfunction.
Atherosclerosis, the primary malefactor, orchestrates this dangerous condition. It manifests as the accumulation of fatty deposits, akin to insidious plaques, within arterial walls. As time elapses, these plaques metamorphose, hardening and...
4.1K