Mortality of type A aortic dissection (TAAD) complicated with coronary malperfusion syndrome is very high even when emergency surgery is performed. Several reports suggested that primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) followed by immediate corrective surgery may reduce mortality. In many countries, immediate transfer to an aortic surgery center may not be possible. We report a case of TAAD complicated by coronary malperfusion successfully treated with PPCI followed by elective corrective surgery. A 48-year-old man was referred to emergency department with acute inferior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and underwent PPCI. During the procedure, we realized that the cause of STEMI was TAAD. We decided to continue because the patient experienced seizures and bradycardia. Subsequently, echocardiography and computed tomography confirmed the dissection. The patient was discharged and referred to the National Cardiovascular Center where he underwent successful elective surgery. In this patient, immediate revascularization was lifesaving and served as a bridging procedure before surgical correction.

Ever since it was first described in 1760, acute type A aortic dissection has created difficulties in its management. The recent COVID-19 pandemic revealed that extrapulmonary manifestations of this condition may occur, and recent reports suggested that aortic dissection may be amongst them since it shares a common physiopathology, that is, hyper-inflammatory syndrome. Cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass in the setting of COVID-19-positive patients carries a high risk of postoperative respiratory failure. While the vast majority accept that management of type A aortic dissection requires urgent surgery and central aortic therapy, there are some reports that advocate for delaying surgery. In this situation, the risk of aortic rupture must be balanced with the possible benefits of delaying urgent surgery. We present a case of acute type A dissection with COVID-19-associated bronchopneumonia successfully managed after delaying surgery for 6 days.

UNASSIGNED: Masquerade presentation of acute type B aortic dissections (TBAD) as acute limb ischaemia (ALI) is rare. Holistic clinical assessment, preferably with the help of scoring systems and timely computer tomographic angiogram (CTA), is needed for early diagnosis. Acute TBAD and its complications are increasingly treated with endovascular therapies.
METHODS: A 21-year-old male with poorly controlled essential hypertension was admitted with prominent clinical features of ALI. No clinical pointers of a TBAD were present. Doppler ultrasound revealed an arterial occlusive pattern, and an urgent surgical embolectomy was performed. On failure to retrieve any thrombi, a CTA was performed, and diagnosis of TBAD complicated with ALI was made. The limb was revascularised with guidewire directed aortic fenestration with angioplasty. TBAD was managed conservatively.
UNASSIGNED: We report a case of acute TBAD presented as isolated ALI, which was initially diagnosed and treated as an ALI unrelated to aortic dissection. TBAD with typical or atypical clinical features presented with ALI as a malperfusion syndrome is not uncommon. However, masquerade presentations of TBAD as ALI are rare in the literature. Endovascular fenestration with or without stenting has fewer neurological complications and long-term mortality than thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). Moreover, they become convenient in resource-poor settings without dedicated aortic centres.
CONCLUSIONS: Masquerade presentation of TBAD should be recognised in the differential diagnosis of ALI. Timely CTA would prevent unnecessary interventions and help diagnose TBAD complicated with ALI. Despite their availability, outcomes will depend on proper patient selection for endovascular, surgical, and TEVAR options.

UNASSIGNED: Painless aortic dissection presenting with seizure and acute liver failure is uncommon. We described a case of early recognition leading to successful treatment of painless aortic dissection with atypical presentation.
UNASSIGNED: A young lady presented with generalized tonic-clonic seizures coupled with hepatitic pattern of deranged liver function test. Examination revealed blood pressure of 99/75 mmHg and hepatic flap. Electrocardiography showed sinus tachycardia. Urgent bedside echocardiography showed preserved cardiac function without significant valvular pathology, but noted a moderate pericardial effusion. Abdominal Ultrasound excluded liver cirrhosis or biliary obstructions. Viral hepatitis serologies and anti-liver panel were negative. She was progressively hypotensive with concurrent acute liver failure and oliguric acute kidney injury. Despite no chest pain, her rising serum troponin and widened mediastinum prompted an urgent computed-tomography aortogram, which showed a 4.3 cm dilatation of ascending thoracic aorta with acute haemopericardium and cardiac tamponade. She was diagnosed with malperfusion syndrome from Stanford type A aortic dissection. She underwent emergent ascending aorta and aortic arch repair and dialysis. She experienced complete recovery in her kidney, liver, and neurological function post-operatively.
UNASSIGNED: Painless aortic dissection masquerade as acute liver failure is uncommon. We describe a successful early recognition of malperfusion syndrome from painless aortic dissection, thus providing window for timely, life-saving intervention. Clinical challenges in this case include: (i) atypical presentation of aortic dissection, (ii) worsening acute liver failure which could lead to unnecessary liver transplantation, and (iii) risk of contrast-induced nephropathy in the setting of acute renal failure.