Abstract

Aim: Aortic dissection is a life-threatening emergency caused by a tear in the aortic intima, leading to separation of the vessel wall layers. It is more frequently observed in males and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis is considered critical; however, its direct impact on clinical outcomes remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the time from emergency department admission to diagnosis and patient outcomes in cases of aortic dissection, and to evaluate the effect of early diagnosis on clinical prognosis.
Materials and Methods: This retrospective observational study included 35 patients diagnosed with aortic dissection between January 1, 2018, and January 1, 2025. Demographic characteristics, presenting symptoms, time to diagnosis, consultation and hospitalization times, and in-hospital outcomes were recorded. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 26.0. Intergroup comparisons were conducted using mixed-design ANOVA, and a p-value of 0.05). However, within-group analyses revealed significant differences between consultation time and hospitalization time.
Conclusion: Time to diagnosis alone did not demonstrate a direct effect on clinical outcomes in patients with aortic dissection. These findings suggest that patient-specific factors and the quality of multidisciplinary management may be as critical as rapid diagnosis. Prompt recognition combined with effective, coordinated treatment may improve prognosis in this high-risk patient population.

Key words: Aortic dissection, emergency department presentation, diagnostic delay, in-hospital mortality, clinical outcomes