[Clinical and electrocardiographic aspect of pulmonary embolism masking aortic dissection revealed by thoracic CT angiography].

We here report the case of a 52-year old hypertensive, obese woman (BMI 32,46 kg/m2) with a past history of smoking and without evidence-based risk factors of venous thromboembolism, hospitalized for left chest pain radiating to the dorsolumbar region associated with dyspnoea. Clinical examination on hopitalization showed left blood pressure 100/60 mmHg, tachycardia 100/min, oxygen desaturation index at 88% with the patient breathing ambient air, normal cardiopulmonary auscultation, peripheral pulses palpable and no symptoms of phlebitis of the lower limbs. The ECG showed right axis deviation, S1Q3 pattern, right ventricular hypertrophy and right bundle branch block (A, B, C). The patient underwent emergency thoracic CT angiography objectifying aortic dissection from the origin of the aorta to the iliac bifurcation (Stanford A). Our patient received medical care based on blood pressure and heart rate control as well as on analgesics, with good evolution in the absence of surgical means.