A 75-year-old man tells you he feels a ripping chest pain that is tearing through his body from his anterior chest to his back. His blood pressure in his right arm is 165/105. His blood pressure in the left arm is 135/80. Which of the following diseases or conditions might be responsible for this presentation?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The description of a ripping or tearing chest pain radiating to the back, along with the discrepancy in blood pressure between the arms, is highly suggestive of an aortic dissection. This condition involves a tear in the inner layer of the aorta, allowing blood to flow between the layers of the aortic wall, which can lead to aortic rupture or decreased blood flow to organs.

A 75-Year-Old Man Tells You He Feels a Ripping Chest