Patients in New Jersey may be concerned about the risk of a missed or mistaken diagnosis, especially when they enter a hospital due to a serious disease with life-threatening risks. One type of illness that is frequently misdiagnosed is acute aortic syndrome. This syndrome includes several types of conditions related to the major blood vessels of the heart, including aortic dissection, aortic intramural hematoma and penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer. Patients with these conditions often have very similar symptoms, and the severity of the disorder can evolve quickly.
When a patient has acute aortic syndrome, avoiding misdiagnosis and correctly identifying the problem can be critical. A swift diagnosis and accurate treatment are essential to saving a patient’s life. One method that can help physicians to correctly diagnose these types of conditions is intravascular ultrasound imaging. It can provide a more thorough look into the type of lesion that exists on a patient’s aorta and help doctors to distinguish one kind of aortic damage from another.
The symptoms of acute aortic syndrome can be similar to those of other serious heart ailments such as pulmonary embolism, pericarditis or acute coronary syndrome. This means that patients with the syndrome are often misdiagnosed, even after the use of imaging technology. Because the risk of misdiagnosis and confusion is so high, it can be important for doctors to use multiple types of imaging tests in order to confirm a correct diagnosis.
Patients who are misdiagnosed by a doctor or hospital can suffer serious consequences as a result, especially in the case of progressive diseases. When people have experienced a worsened medical condition as a result of a doctor’s misdiagnosis, they can consult with a medical malpractice attorney. A lawyer can provide guidance about the next steps forward after evaluating their unique situation.
