I just saw a case problem about aortic dissection. The patient's bp was asymmetric. The left arm blood pressure was higher than the right arm. How is this possible? Does anyone know the pathophysiology?
Do you mean as opposed to the right being higher than the left? Maybe a DeBakey Type II. With a dissection, depending on which aortic branches are affected, you'll get differing BP in the extremities.
Yes i mean that both arms had high pressure but the left arm had a higher pressure. Well which artery do you think has been affected? How can it cause a higher pressure on the left arm?
Dissections commonly occur in the ascending arch of the aorta. Thus, you're more likely to block the brachiocephalic trunk (right) with relatively normal flow to the left branches.
Also remember that Type A's are surgical emergencies that require open operations. Type B's since they take place distal to the subclavian can be managed with blood pressure control. Drug of choice will be a beta blocker (esmolol).
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