American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

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A dissection involving the ascending aorta is classified as what type of emergency?

Surgical emergency
Medical emergency
Cardiac emergency
Neurological emergency

The correct answer is: Surgical emergency

An aortic dissection, particularly one that involves the ascending aorta, is classified as a surgical emergency due to the high risk of life-threatening complications that can arise rapidly. This type of dissection can lead to severe blood loss, organ ischemia, or rupture, necessitating immediate surgical intervention to repair the aorta and restore blood flow. Surgical intervention is often crucial in this scenario because the ascending aorta is a vital part of the cardiovascular system; any compromise can affect hemodynamics significantly. Prompt surgical treatment can be the difference between survival and fatality in cases of an ascending aortic dissection. While it is true that an aortic dissection can also present with urgent medical concerns, including high blood pressure and chest pain, the classification as a surgical emergency emphasizes the need for prompt operative management to address the physical changes in the aorta that can lead to dire outcomes.