ANSWER 1

1. False. Physical findings suggestive of aortic dissection are present in less than 50% of patients with the disease. The classic physical findings are pulse or blood pressure deficit, neurological abnormalities and diastolic murmur.1

2. False. Although chest pain of sudden onset is characteristic of aortic dissection, it only has a sensitivity of 84%.1

3. False. The vast majority of patients with acute aortic dissection have raised d-dimer levels.2^–5

4. True. Most chest films will show …