What is a chief complaint (CC) characteristic of aortic dissection?

A chief complaint characteristic of aortic dissection is chest pain radiating to the back. This type of pain is typically described as sharp or tearing and can be very severe. In the context of aortic dissection, the pain originates from the aorta's inner layer tearing and can lead to a sensation of pain that moves or radiates into the back, shoulders, or even down the legs, depending on the extent and location of the dissection. This presentation is critical for timely diagnosis and management, as aortic dissections can lead to life-threatening complications if not treated promptly.

In contrast, pain limited to the abdomen is generally not characteristic of aortic dissection and might suggest other abdominal conditions. Numbness in extremities can occur due to various conditions affecting nerve function or blood supply but is not a primary symptom of an aortic dissection. A severe headache is more commonly associated with conditions like subarachnoid hemorrhage or migraines rather than aortic dissection, which typically presents with the aforementioned thoracic pain.