PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

What are three potential complications of aortic dissection?

1. Cardiac arrest, stroke, diabetes

2. Cardiac tamponade, aortic insufficiency, arterial branch occlusion

3. Pneumothorax, embolism, myocardial infarction

4. Pulmonary edema, renal failure, liver dysfunction

The correct answer is: Cardiac tamponade, aortic insufficiency, arterial branch occlusion

Aortic dissection is a serious condition that can lead to several acute complications due to the involvement and disruption of the aorta and its branches. The correct answer highlights three potential complications that arise directly from this condition. Cardiac tamponade occurs when blood accumulates in the pericardial sac due to a rupture or leakage from the dissection. This accumulation creates pressure on the heart, impairing its ability to pump effectively and can lead to cardiac failure. Aortic insufficiency, also known as aortic regurgitation, may develop if the dissection involves the aortic valve. This situation can result in a backflow of blood into the left ventricle during diastole, leading to volume overload and potentially heart failure. Arterial branch occlusion is another significant complication, resulting from the dissection creating false lumens within the aorta. These false lumens can obstruct blood flow to vital organs or extremities by compressing or occluding the branches of the aorta, potentially leading to ischemia in the affected areas. In contrast, the other options include complications that either are not directly associated with aortic dissection or do not typically arise as primary issues from this condition. For example, while cardiac arrest may be a