ABSTRACT

Aortic dissection of the aorta is the most common fatal disease requires urgent diagnosis and treatment. The most important step in the diagnosis of aortic dissection which is characterized by sudden onset of chest pain in predatory manner is the clinical suspicion. Especially in patients who present with atypical symptoms is difficult to diagnose. The mortality rate is increasing by 1-2% every hour if left untreated. In this study we presented a fifty-two-year-old female case with atypic symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting, admitted to the emergency room. The patient admitted to the emergency department with only nausea and vomiting complaints and at the end of the examination it was decided that there were no cardiac pathology. Six hours later, the overall situation has deteriorated, and the patient died. In the autopsy we revealed two pericardial rupture in the front pericardial area, also there was 8.5 cm long identified ruptured aortic dissection beginning from the ascending aorta to the root of aorta, which was the cause of death. Delays in diagnosis of aortic dissection can lead to death, also the physicians can face with important legal issues. Early diagnosis of patients, who died suddenly and unexpected, can avoid unnecessary judicial proceedings.

Keywords: Aortic rupture, sudden death, aortic aneurysm, autopsy, forensic medicine