Obstruction of the right coronary artery ostium due to acute aortic dissection

Acute aortic dissection presents with a wide range of manifestations and it is frequently confused with acute coronary syndrome, leading to delayed diagnosis and inappropriate treatment. A high clinical index of suspicion is necessary. Longstanding arterial hypertension, elevated D-dimer levels and new onset atypical chest pain can help the clinician to perform a difficult differential diagnosis. We present a case of acute aortic dissection in a 68-year-old Italian woman with longstanding arterial hypertension, unknown ascending aortic aneurysm, normal D-dimer levels, new onset atypical chest pain and electrocardiographic images mimicking acute coronary syndrome. Also this case focuses attention on the importance of a correct evaluation of new onset chest pain. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.