Management of Suspected Acute Aortic Dissection - Flowchart
Management of Suspected Acute Aortic Dissection - Flowchart Management of Suspected Acute Aortic Dissection Management of Suspected Acute Aortic Dissection
Flowchart

Chest, back or upper abdominal pain of abrupt onset

Chest, back or upper abdominal pain of abrupt onset

Chest, back or upper abdominal pain of abrupt onset

End

End

End

Assess using ABCDE method Key observations (Table 1.1)
ECG monitor, IV access Relieve pain with morphine IV Focused assessment (Tables 50.1 and 50.4)
12-lead ECG, biomakers, CXR and other urgent investigation (Table 50.2)
Transthoracic echocardiography if immediately available (Table 50.3)

Assess using ABCDE method Key observations (Table 1.1)
ECG monitor, IV access Relieve pain with morphine IV Focused assessment (Tables 50.1 and 50.4)
12-lead ECG, biomakers, CXR and other urgent investigation (Table 50.2)
Transthoracic echocardiography if immediately available (Table 50.3)

Assess using ABCDE method Key observations (Table 1.1)
ECG monitor, IV access Relieve pain with morphine IV Focused assessment (Tables 50.1 and 50.4)
12-lead ECG, biomakers, CXR and other urgent investigation (Table 50.2)
Transthoracic echocardiography if immediately available (Table 50.3)

Table 1.1
50.1 50.4
Table 50.2
Table 50.3

Start labetalol IV (Table 50.5)
Contact cardiothoracic surgical unit

Start labetalol IV (Table 50.5)
Contact cardiothoracic surgical unit

Start labetalol IV (Table 50.5)
Contact cardiothoracic surgical unit

Table 50.5

Clinically definite aortic dissection?

Clinically definite aortic dissection?

Clinically definite aortic dissection?

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

Pursue other diagnosis (Chapter 7)

Pursue other diagnosis (Chapter 7)

Pursue other diagnosis (Chapter 7)

Chapter 7

Urgent CT with contrast or trans-oesophageal echocardiography

Urgent CT with contrast or trans-oesophageal echocardiography

Urgent CT with contrast or trans-oesophageal echocardiography

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

No