Analysis of acute aortic diseases newly diagnosed in an emergency department
Gazi Medical Journal, cilt.15, sa.4, ss.123-126, 2004 (Scopus, TRDizin)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 15 Sayı: 4
- Basım Tarihi: 2004
- Dergi Adı: Gazi Medical Journal
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Scopus, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.123-126
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Aneurysm, Aorta, Aortic Disease, Emergency Medicine, Patient Care Management
- İstanbul Üniversitesi-Cerrahpaşa Adresli: Evet
Özet
Purpose: Emergency physicians are frequently the initial physicians to evaluate patients with symptoms of acute aortic diseases and therefore they are in a unique position to prevent morbidity and mortality through an early diagnosis. The aim of this retrospective study is to analyze diagnostic parameters and clinical findings in patients with acute aortic diseases newly diagnosed in an emergency department. Methods: This retrospective study includes 24 patients with acute aortic diseases admitted to an emergency department between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2001. The patients' demographic findings, clinical information, laboratory and radiographic documents, and other information were obtained from the hospital archives. Results: The charts of 24 patients diagnosed with acute aortic disease during the four-year period were obtained. The median age was 58.2 years (range, 29-85). Chest and/or back pain was the most frequent symptom bringing the patients to the emergency department (62.5%). Ten patients (41.7%) had had a prior diagnosis of hypertension. The most frequent electrocardiographic findings were ST-T changes (20.8%). Mediastinal widening was seen in the chest x-rays of 10 patients (41.7%). Fourteen patients (58.3%) with aneurysm, six patients (25.0%) with dissection and four patients (18.2%) with dissecting aneurysm were detected. Conclusion: The diagnosis of AAD is of utmost importance for an emergency department. A missed or delayed diagnosis may result in high mortality and morbidity. If a patient with abdominal or thoracic pain is admitted to an emergency department, acute aortic diseases or their complications must be investigated.