Snapshot A 32-year-old man presents to the emergency room for sudden onset of severe chest pain that radiates down his back. Physical exam reveals a tall and thin habitus, arachnodactyly, and pectus excavatum. Radiography shows widened mediastinum, concerning for an aortic dissection. Introduction Clinical definition login to view 1 more bullet Epidemiology Demographics login to view 1 more bullet Etiology Pathogenesis login to view 5 more bullets Genetics login to view 5 more bullets Presentation Symptoms login to view 3 more bullets Physical exam login to view 19 more bullets Imaging Transthoracic echocardiography login to view 5 more bullets Studies Making the diagnosis login to view 2 more bullets Differential Homocystinuria login to view 3 more bullets Ehlers-Danlos syndrome login to view 3 more bullets Treatment Management approach login to view 1 more bullet Conservative login to view 3 more bullets Medical login to view 3 more bullets Operative login to view 6 more bullets Complications Aortic dissection login to view 1 more bullet Mitral valve prolapse Congestive heart failure from cardiac valve abnormalities Prognosis Survival has improved with better management of aortic disease With early diagnosis and management, patients often have a normal life expectancy