Abstract
Background: A ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm is a life-threatening condition and
can lead to a tension hemothorax. Objectives: To describe the presentation and management
of a case of a tension hemothorax. Case Report: An 84-year-old woman presented in
respiratory distress and was found to have a tension hemothorax. The cause was the
rupture of an ascending and descending thoracic aortic aneurysm. She was managed with
intubation, mechanical ventilation, and chest tube placement with stabilization. Definitive
operative repair was deferred due to the patient's comorbidities and wishes of the
family. Conclusions/Summary: A tension hemothorax can result from an ascending and
descending thoracic aneurysm, as this case describes. Emergent therapy is necessary
as this is a life-threatening condition.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: June 01, 2010
Accepted:
April 4,
2010
Received in revised form:
December 24,
2009
Received:
October 11,
2009
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
