QuestionSBA
QuestionChoice
A blood pressure difference of greater than 20mmHg should raise suspicion of an aortic dissection.
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c
Equivalent blood pressure in both arms
QuestionChoice
This is more suggestive of heart failure than aortic dissection.
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e
Bilateral pitting oedema
QuestionChoice
The most likely diagnosis given the nature of the pain and the presence of a connective tissue disorder is an acute aortic dissection.  Neurological symptoms occur because of occlusion of carotid, vertebral, or spinal arteries.
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a
Focal neurological deficits
QuestionChoice
An early diastolic murmur may be noted due to aortic regurgitation in a dissection, rather than an end systolic one.
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d
New-onset end-systolic murmur
QuestionChoice
An early diastolic murmur may be noted due to aortic regurgitation in a dissection, rather than a holosystolic one.
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b
New-onset holosystolic murmur
Concept
Chapter
2693
3707
Aortic Dissection
Topic
134
Cardiology
18077
Focal neurological deficits in the context of acute aortic dissection can occur when the dissection compromises blood flow to the brain or spinal cord, leading to symptoms such as weakness, sensory changes, or paralysis, which indicate potential involvement of the arterial branches supplying these areas.
A 45 year old man with a history of Ehler’s Danlos syndrome comes to the emergency department with severe tearing chest pain.

Given the likely diagnosis, which of the following may be noted on examination?
a