A 47-year-old man with Marfan syndrome presents with severe chest pain radiating to the back, unequal blood pressures in arms, and a decrescendo diast...

Question

A 47-year-old man with Marfan syndrome presents with severe chest pain radiating to the back, unequal blood pressures in arms, and a decrescendo diastolic murmur. You suspect acute aortic dissection. What is the most urgent diagnostic test to confirm the diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Transoesophageal echocardiogram or CT angiography

Answer

Chest X-ray

Answer

CT scan of the abdomen

Answer

Transthoracic echocardiogram

Answer

MRI of the aorta

NICE Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Guideline MCQ (SBA): Acute aortic dissection

A 47-year-old man with Marfan syndrome presents with severe chest pain radiating to the back, unequal blood pressures in arms, and a decrescendo diastolic murmur. You suspect acute aortic dissection. What is the most urgent diagnostic test to confirm the diagnosis?