Aortic Dissection

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Aortic Dissection Diagnosis & Tests

Listening with a stethoscope (auscultation) at the chest and abdomen may reveal a "blowing" murmur over the aorta, a heart murmur, or other abnormality. There may be decreased (weak) pulses in the arms and hands.

There may be low blood pressure, bulging neck veins, or signs resembling a heart attack. There may be signs of shock (inadequate blood flow to the body tissues), but with normal blood pressure.

Aortic dissection or aortic aneurysm may be revealed on:

• Echocardiogram -- ultrasound examination of the heart
• Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)
• Chest X-ray -- may show mediastinal (chest) widening or pleural effusion (fluid in the lining of the lung)
• Chest MRI or CT scan of chest with dye
• Aortic angiography
• Doppler ultrasonography (occasionally performed)
• ECG -- may show signs of left ventricular hypertrophy (enlargement), secondary to chronic high blood pressure
• Hematocrit (a measurement of red blood cells) -- performed to evaluate blood loss