Electrocardiographic abnormalities in patients with acute aortic dissection.

In conclusion, acute electrocardiographic changes were not uncommon in patients with acute aortic dissection. It was suggested that acute electrocardiographic changes in aortic dissection resulted from at least 1 of the following 3 mechanisms: (1) involvement of the ostium of the coronary artery; (2) shock state, especially tamponade; and (3) preexisting coronary artery disease. We believe that physicians should be aware of the possibility of acute aortic dissection not only in patients with chest pain with a normal electrocardiogram, but also in those with electrocardiographic changes.