Acute Aortic Dissection in a Young Healthy Athlete with Androgenic Anabolic Steroid Use: A Case Report from Qatar

Manish Barman, Bendaas Djam

Abstract

Acute aortic dissection can occur at the time of intense physical exertion in strength-trained athletes like weightlifters, bodybuilders, throwers, and wrestlers. Rapid rise in blood pressure and history of hypertension are the most common causes of aortic dissection in athletes. It is a very tragic event because of its high mortality rate of about 32% in young patients. We report a case of aortic dissection in a young weightlifter with history of anabolic steroid usage with an extensive intimal tear of the aorta at Sino tubular junction and arch.