Question

A 55-year-old man with no known cardiac disease presents with sudden tearing chest pain radiating to the back and unequal BP in his arms. What is the most appropriate initial imaging modality to confirm suspected aortic dissection in a haemodynamically stable patient?

Accepted Answer

CT angiography of the aorta with contrast

Answer

Plain chest radiograph

Answer

Transthoracic echocardiogram only

Answer

Abdominal ultrasound

Answer

MRI of the spine

Practice question

A 55-year-old man with no known cardiac disease presents with sudden tearing chest pain radiating to the back and unequal BP in his arms. What is the most appropriate initial imaging modality to confirm suspected aortic dissection in a haemodynamically stable patient?