12-26-2013, 10:08 AM
MBME 3 Q.
A 61-year-old woman with a long history of poorly controlled hypertension suddenly has excruciating anterior upper sternal pain radiating to the neck and back. On admission to the emergency department, her blood pressure is 210/110 mm Hg. Fifteen minutes later, while lying down, it is 110/64 mm Hg. Transesophageal echocardiography shows aortic insufficiency, a suggestion of a double lumen of the ascending aorta, and a pericardial effusion. She dies suddenly while awaiting an operation. Which of the following is the most likely cause of death?
A. Acute myocardial infarct
B. Acute hemopericardium
C. Cerebral infarct
D. Congestive heart failure
E. Massive retroperitoneal hemorrhage
A 61-year-old woman with a long history of poorly controlled hypertension suddenly has excruciating anterior upper sternal pain radiating to the neck and back. On admission to the emergency department, her blood pressure is 210/110 mm Hg. Fifteen minutes later, while lying down, it is 110/64 mm Hg. Transesophageal echocardiography shows aortic insufficiency, a suggestion of a double lumen of the ascending aorta, and a pericardial effusion. She dies suddenly while awaiting an operation. Which of the following is the most likely cause of death?
A. Acute myocardial infarct
B. Acute hemopericardium
C. Cerebral infarct
D. Congestive heart failure
E. Massive retroperitoneal hemorrhage