EP.WE.202Atypical presentation of Acute Aortic Dissection Standford type A dissection

Acute aortic dissection type A (AADA), a tear in the intima lining of the aorta, is a surgical emergency and contributes to high mortality rate if not managed promptly with surgical intervention. Case presentation We describe a case of a 63-year-old female with a history of hypertension presented with presumed seizure and hypotension to the emergency department. She did not have Computed Tomography (CT) chest despite having hemopericardium on her CT abdomen and pelvis. Her condition deteriorated to pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, multi-organ failure and shock. A diagnosis of AADA was only found on the stage of post-mortem. Conclusion AADA may not present with classical symptoms of tearing chest pain. The combination of hypotension and neurological deficit should trigger hospital team to consider aortic dissection higher up in the differential diagnosis for shock. If there is unclear diagnosis for an acutely unwell patient, hospital team should review the case and radiological imaging again. Hemopericardium on CT abdomen, pelvis should trigger hospital team to request for a CT chest to look out for the cause of hemopericardium. AADA is fatal without prompt surgical intervention. Immediate diagnosis can significantly reduce the mortality rate.