Aortic dissection following “ecstasy” use complicated by compartment syndrome

BACKGROUND: Patients who present to the emergency department (ED) with acute chest pain should receive a thorough history and exam to rule out rare, life-threatening conditions, such as drug-induced acute aortic dissections (AD). CASE PRESENTATION: A 34-year-old man with a history of uncontrolled hypertension, smoking, and “ecstasy” use presented to the ED with an acute type A aortic dissection (AD). Following surgery to repair the dissection, he developed compartment syndrome of the lower extremity requiring muscle excision and neurolysis with subsequent wound debridement procedures. CONCLUSION: Physicians treating adults with symptoms and signs of aortic dissection should take a focused history about substance use and include AD on their differential. In addition, the extremities should be monitored for signs and symptoms of ischemia throughout the acute peri-surgical period(s).