POURYAHYA P, MEYER A MCR, LEE HM. Point of Care Ultrasound (PoCUS) saves lives; a case report. Utility of PoCUS in diagnosis of aortic dissection. Med Emergency, MJEM 2018; 26:32-5.
DOI 10.26738/MJEM.2017/mjem26.2018/PP.CRE.270917
Key words: aortic dissection, emergency department, PoCUS, point of care ultrasound- Authors’ affiliation
- Article history / info
- Conflict of interest statement
Correspondent author: Pourya POURYAHYA, MD
Monash Emergency Research Collaborative, Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
Casey Hospital, Emergency Program, Monash Health
62-70 Kangan drive, Berwick, Victoria 3806, Australia
pourya.pouryahya@monashhealth.org
Pouryahya P, MD1,2, Meyer A McR, MD1, Lee HM, MD1
1. Casey hospital, Emergency Department, Program of Emergency Medicine, Monash Health, Victoria, Australia
2. Monash Emergency Research Collaborative, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
Category: Case report
Received: Aug. 2, 2017
Revised: Sept. 6, 2017
Accepted: Sept. 27, 2017
ABSTRACT
Thoracic aortic aneurysm and thoracic aortic dissection are related conditions that can present with non-specific symptoms and are associated with high morbidity and mortality therefore timely diagnosis is pivotal. Trans-thoracic echocardiography may detect thoracic aortic pathology and is increasingly performed by emergency physicians at the bedside. Point-of-Care Ultrasound can help to differentiate the causes of shock, chest pain and dyspnea. We describe the case of a pulseless electrical activity arrest in cardiac tamponade resulting from an aortic dissection in which PoCUS assisted in diagnosis and treatment by pericardiocentesis in the emergency department.