Evaluation and Management of Acute
Thoracic Aortic Disease
8.6.1. Initial Evaluation and Management
8.6.1.1. Recommendations for Estimation of Pretest Risk of
Thoracic Aortic Dissection
Class I
1. Providers should routinely evaluate any patient presenting
with complaints that may represent acute thoracic
aortic dissection to establish a pretest risk of
disease that can then be used to guide diagnostic
decisions. This process should include specific questions
about medical history, family history, and pain
features as well as a focused examination to identify
findings that are associated with aortic dissection,
including