Prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential when it comes to aortic dissection. To diagnose an acute aortic dissection, your medical team will use a variety of tools.
During your first office visit, your provider will spend time with you and learn more about your symptoms and overall health. They will:
- Conduct a physical exam
- Discuss your medical history and your current medical conditions
- Listen to your heart and lungs with a stethoscope
- Check your blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen level
Blood tests can help identify factors that may increase your risk for vascular disease, like high cholesterol, issues with blood clotting or signs of inflammation. When these risk factors are present, they can impact blood flow and lead to problems like blockages.
An angiogram is a special test doctors use to see how blood moves through your blood vessels. A special dye called contrast is injected into your body. Imaging technology then allows doctors to see where your blood is flowing and if there are narrowed areas or blockages that slow or prevent blood flow.
A chest X-ray is a noninvasive test that uses X-rays to capture detailed images of the organs in the chest, including the heart and lungs.
During the test, you may be asked to remove some clothing and other items that contain metal, which can interfere with the X-rays. Items may include underwire bras and jewelry. X-rays may be taken while you’re lying on a table or standing.
Chest X-rays typically involve two images — one from the front and one from the back. The entire process takes only a few minutes.
A computed tomography (CT) scan is the most common test for diagnosing aortic dissection. During a CT scan, X-rays are used to capture images of the chest, including the aorta.
Unlike a traditional X-ray, which produces a 2D image, a CT scan captures multi-dimensional images from many angles. During a CT scan, you lie on a table that moves into the CT scanner. The machine revolves around your body to capture hundreds of images.
A CT scan for aortic dissection may involve contrast (dye) injected into a vein to highlight the chest and any abnormalities. You may feel a slight burning as the dye is injected, but a CT scan is otherwise painless.
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is a radiation-free imaging test that uses radio waves to capture detailed images of the body, including the chest.
During an MRI, you lie on a table inside a tube with magnets positioned either directly above you or around you. These powerful magnets produce images of organs and other structures, along with moving pictures of your heart valves and blood flow through the aorta.
In some cases, you may receive an injection of a contrast agent made of metal, which will enhance the visibility of blood vessels. You may feel a slight burning as the contrast is injected, but an MRI is otherwise painless.
An echocardiogram (echo) uses ultrasound technology, or sound waves, to capture an image of your heart’s structure.
During the echocardiogram, your technologist will place a wand on the skin of your chest above your heart. Sound waves from the wand bounce off your heart, creating an image of your heart’s chambers and valves.
An echocardiogram is an outpatient test that takes less than an hour. You can return home as soon as the test is completed.
