🚨 Could that chest pain actually be an aortic dissection? In rare cases, it can be. Aortic dissection is one of the few diagnoses that even us ortho bros know is a true medical emergency. 😳 🩸An aortic dissection occurs when the inner layer of the aorta tears, allowing blood to split the layers of the artery. The classic symptom is sudden, severe tearing or ripping chest pain that often radiates into the back. In some cases, patients may even have different blood pressures between their two arms. 🚨 The biggest risk factor is long-standing high blood pressure, but connective tissue disorders like Marfan syndrome can also increase the risk. 😷 Treatment depends on where the tear occurs. Ascending dissections usually require emergency open surgery with a synthetic graft, while descending dissections that need intervention can often be treated with a minimally invasive stent graft. ⚠️ If you or someone around you develops sudden tearing chest or back pain, don’t try to drive yours...