Standford type A aortic dissection in a patient with situs inversus totalis, with critical clinical presentation: a case report

The association of Standford type A acute aortic dissection with situs inversus totalis (SIT) is extremely rare and only a few cases are reported in the literature to date. Due to the particular rarity, this unusual condition, if not diagnosed quickly and correctly, can generate both clinical and surgical difficulties. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe the case of a male Caucasian patient with SIT and aortic dissection type A, who occurred to our Emergency Department with a severe clinical condition of shock. Using the fast diagnostic approach with chest X-Ray and echocardiography followed by computed tomography investigation, a Standford type A acute aortic dissection and the presence of SIT were detected. The patient was subjected to surgical treatment with optimal results in a short time. CLINICAL DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The event of aortic dissection is an extremely serious condition and the simultaneous presence of a critical clinical presentation with an unusual congenital anomaly could condition a correct and rapid diagnostic process. Only an accurate diagnostic investigation can give a quick diagnosis and useful elements for a correct therapeutic approach.