Der Internist
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We report on the case of a 64 year old male who received chemotherapy for a metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx. The chemotherapeutic regimen consisted of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and cisplatin. Six hours after completion of the first 24 h continuous infusion of 5-FU, the patient developed severe chest pain accompanied by vegetative symptoms and a pronounced ST-elevation of the precordial leads. ⋯ After initial therapy with intravenous nitrate followed by oral calcium channel blocker, the patient remained free of symptoms and no rise in cardiac enzymes were noted. The chemotherapeutic regimen was changed to cisplatin plus docetaxel. No new attacks of chest pain occurred and the antivasospastic therapy could be stopped without further events.
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Acute aortic dissection is gaining recognition in Western societies, and is being diagnosed with increasing frequency. New diagnostic imaging modalities, longer life expectancy in general, as well as the increase in the number of hypertension patients have all contributed to the growing awareness of aortic dissections. Compared with acute coronary syndrome and lung embolism, aortic dissection is among the most frequently diagnosed life-threatening conditions involving chest pain. Here we report the case of a 59 year old patient suffering from hypertension and discuss the latest diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in the setting of acute chest pain.