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Acute Aortic Disease.. - Index of

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Putting It All Together: Symptoms, Signs, and Images 83<br />

Figure 10 Suggested approach to diagnosing acute aortic conditions. Abbreviations: CT,<br />

computed tomography; ECG, electrocardiogram; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; TEE,<br />

transesophageal echocardiograph.<br />

room physician should promptly alert surgical and cardiovascular services to the<br />

potential scenario while confirmatory testing is pursued. In general, a relatively<br />

stable patient may undergo whichever imaging test is most readily available,<br />

keeping in mind that serious complications may develop quickly and continuous<br />

monitoring for change in status is necessary. In the hemodynamically unstable<br />

patient, TEE is the preferred initial test, provided that qualified personnel are<br />

readily available to rapidly perform and interpret the test. If emergency TEE is<br />

not an option, CT, aortography, or MRI may be pursued to confirm the diagnosis.<br />

If imaging tests are unavailable, the unstable patient should be emergently<br />

transferred to a tertiary referral center, preferably one with aortic expertise, for<br />

definitive diagnosis and therapy.

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