Which symptom is commonly associated with aortic dissection?

Which symptom is commonly associated with aortic dissection?

• A. Productive cough and wheezing
• B. Severe tearing chest or back pain radiating to the abdomen, may cause hypotension and pulse deficits if arch vessels involved
• C. Sudden hearing loss
• D. Abdominal pain with positive Murphy's sign

Answer: (B)

Aortic dissection classically presents with abrupt, severe chest or back pain described as tearing or ripping, and this pain may radiate to the abdomen as the dissection extends. When the vessels branching from the arch are involved, perfusion to organs can drop, leading to hypotension and pulse deficits. This combination—sudden, intense tearing pain plus signs of compromised circulation—is the hallmark of the condition and makes this symptom the best match. Other options point to respiratory disease (productive cough and wheeze), inner-ear or vascular etiologies (sudden hearing loss), or gallbladder disease (abdominal pain with Murphy’s sign), none of which align with the classic presentation of aortic dissection.

Aortic dissection classically presents with abrupt, severe chest or back pain described as tearing or ripping, and this pain may radiate to the abdomen as the dissection extends. When the vessels branching from the arch are involved, perfusion to organs can drop, leading to hypotension and pulse deficits. This combination—sudden, intense tearing pain plus signs of compromised circulation—is the hallmark of the condition and makes this symptom the best match. Other options point to respiratory disease (productive cough and wheeze), inner-ear or vascular etiologies (sudden hearing loss), or gallbladder disease (abdominal pain with Murphy’s sign), none of which align with the classic presentation of aortic dissection.