Wed3November0903PM 8

Is it true that the following are risk factors for aortic dissection?

True / False

Ischaemic heart disease Incorrect answer selected

Pregnancy Correct

Aortic cannulation Correct

Longstanding hypertension Correct

Marfan's syndrome Correct

Explanation

Aortic dissection has a wide range of clinical presentations and predisposing risk factors, for example, hypertension, aneurysmal disease of the aorta, or a familial connective tissue disorder.

Integral wall abnormalities such as Marfan's syndrome may precede dissection.

Myocardial ischaemia can be a consequence of aortic dissection but not the converse.

Mechanical stress in the aortic wall is proportional to intramural pressure and vessel diameter, hypertension and aortic dilatation are known risk factors for dissections.

Pregnancy is a risk factor; the gravid uterus causes significant compression of the aorta and iliac arteries, especially in the supine position. This possibly increases the outflow resistance of the lower arterial tree. The concurrent increase in cardiac ejection of blood into the upper aorta may be further predisposed to initiate an intimal tear, causing aortic dissection.

Aortic surgery is also a risk factor.

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Average score: 82.93%

Times answered: 294