Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Presenting as a Subacute Cough

Eduardo Diaz, DO; Hanan Atia, MD; Brian Kohen, MD; Seth Lotterman, MD – The suprasternal aortic notch cardiac point of care ultrasound (POCUS) window is a useful view for evaluating thoracic aortic pathologies. However, it is not routinely included in the standard cardiac POCUS exam despite its ability to capture emergent pathologies such as aortic dissection and thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA). Ruptured aortic aneurysms can present with sudden, severe chest or back pain, as well as hemodynamic instability, resulting in a high mortality.