Aortic dissection is a life-threatening condition that is often misdiagnosed. When it is, the results can be dire. Medical professionals in emergency room settings are responsible for ruling out the most serious causes of their patients’ complaints to avoid the most dangerous forms of misdiagnosis.
If you or someone you care about was injured as a result of an aortic dissection misdiagnosis, discuss your claim with an experienced Stamford aortic dissection lawyer at Berkowitz Hanna today. Our malpractice attorneys have secured over $400 million in verdicts and settlements for our clients as one of the top three medical malpractice firms in the state.
The standard in emergency rooms is to consider all the causes relevant to your health concern and rule out the most serious conditions first. Before these very dangerous conditions are excluded, the medical professional treating you must assume that the problem could be a serious condition. This process is known as a differential diagnosis.
This practice does not eliminate the risk of misdiagnosis altogether, but it reduces the chance that life-threatening illnesses, like aortic dissection, will be misdiagnosed.
Aortic dissection is a condition that involves a tear in the aortic wall, and it can be fatal. This tear creates what is called a false lumen that can interfere with blood flow to vital organs.
One of the main symptoms of aortic dissection is sudden and severe chest or back pain. In addition to this pain, patients can experience a tearing sensation in their chests. Other symptoms can include:
The more pronounced the symptoms, the less likely misdiagnosis becomes. Most of these symptoms, however, can be indicative of other health concerns. This is a primary reason why eliminating the most serious illnesses from the possible diagnoses is an important priority.
Early and accurate diagnosis of aortic dissection includes prompt imaging and the speedy implementation of appropriate treatment or management protocols. This can play a critical role in the patient’s survival.
Waiting to diagnose aortic dissection after ruling out other diagnoses can lead to disastrous results. Medical professionals in emergency care settings are responsible for ruling out aortic dissection when patient symptoms are consistent with this finding. Failure to do so can be deemed medical malpractice. If you or a loved one experienced a delayed arterial dissection diagnosis, our Stamford attorneys are prepared to help you recover damages.
The main concern when it comes to aortic dissection and medical malpractice is that a misdiagnosis could prove fatal. The fact that aortic dissection is uncommon and that related symptoms are not always clear complicates the matter.
The first step in ruling out aortic dissection should be carefully considering the patient’s complaints, looking for symptoms associated with aortic dissection, performing a chest X-ray, and checking the patient’s blood pressure in both arms. However, this is not an exhaustive list of steps.
When a diagnosis of aortic dissection cannot be ruled out, diligent medical professionals turn to more advanced imaging procedures to help them get a better view. This can include any of the following:
Early and accurate diagnosis can lead to timely surgical intervention, which has the potential to save the patient’s life.
Every Stamford aortic dissection lawyer at Berkowitz Hanna understands just how dangerous a misdiagnosis can be. It is a critical situation with potentially dramatic outcomes, and we are well-prepared and well-positioned to fight for your rights and the compensation you deserve. We offer no-cost consultations, so there is no reason to delay. Contact us online or call us today to learn how we can help you.
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