Atraumatic aortic rupture as a consequence of penetrating aortic atherosclerotic ulcer rupture

摘要

A woman in her 70s with rheumatoid arthritis presented to the emergency department with progressive dysnoea and sharp chest pain radiating to her back over the preceding day. No recent thoracic trauma was recollected. Examination demonstrated frailty, hypotension with a mean arterial pressure of 50, normal heart sounds and reduced air entry at the right base on ausculation of lung fields. No radial asymetry or pulsus paradoxus was present.