A 59-year-old man presents with tearing chest pain radiating to the back, blood pressure 190/110 mm Hg and asymmetric arm pressures. Chest x-ray shows...

Question

A 59-year-old man presents with tearing chest pain radiating to the back, blood pressure 190/110 mm Hg and asymmetric arm pressures. Chest x-ray shows widened mediastinum. What is the most appropriate initial diagnostic test?

Accepted Answer

CT angiography of the chest aorta

Answer

Exercise stress test

Answer

Echocardiogram only

Answer

Coronary angiography

Answer

Plain abdominal x-ray

ca-mccqe1 MCQ (SBA): Acute aortic dissection

A 59-year-old man presents with tearing chest pain radiating to the back, blood pressure 190/110 mm Hg and asymmetric arm pressures. Chest x-ray shows widened mediastinum. What is the most appropriate initial diagnostic test?