ABSTRACT

Heart disease is the predominant cause of sudden death and coronary atherosclerosis is commonly attributable to sudden deaths. Hypertensive cardiovascular disorders, cardiomyopathies, valvular disorders, myocarditis and some less common cardiac disorders also cause sudden death in a decreasing ratio. Deaths due to rupture of dissective aortic aneurysms are less common.

Our case was a male at 21 years old. Regarding to emergency medicine records, it's reported that he had sudden chest pain and in examination, any cardiac disorder had not been obtained. And he was taken again to hospital in a state of cardiac arrest about in 27 hours later. After the autopsy, which was demanded by prosecutor, it was found out that the cause of death was rupture of dissecting aortic aneursym.

In the aortic dissection cases resulting from hereditary disorders, genetic counseling and regular medical examination of family members are very important for the early diagnosis and treatment of the illness. Patients in pediatric and adolescent age groups with a tendency of aortic disection may have obvious physical signs, but generally differential diagnosis of aortic dissection is difficult in emergency conditions.

Considering the legal responsibilities of emergency medicine practitioners, the favorable way of medical practice in emergency services is to examine the patients in detail and make the appropriate laboratory and radiological tests. In this way, the risk of medical malpractice is decreased by carrying out of previously programmed diagnosis and treatment protocols.