Utility of PoCUS in diagnosis of aortic dissection – Point of Care Ultrasound (PoCUS) saves lives; a case report

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

There is no conflict of interest to declare

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.

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