Aortic dissection in a healthy 32-year-old man without risk factors

We report the case of a 32-year-old male who presented to the emergency department with left-sided chest pain associated with burning epigastric discomfort and radiation to the back. Similar symptoms had prompted his visit to another emergency department 1 week earlier. He was discharged from that institution after a negative upper gastrointestinal series. In our emergency department a transoesophageal echocardiograph raised suspicion of a dissection of the thoracic aorta, which was later confirmed by a contrast chest computed tomography scan. The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit but refused surgical intervention at the time of admission. A detailed history failed to uncover any known risk factors for this disease entity. Aortic dissection is rarely seen in young, healthy individuals. Atypical clinical representations are reviewed. The emergency department work-up of aortic dissection is discussed.