Aortic Dissection and Cardiac Tamponade in an Elderly Female With Cushing's Syndrome: A Fatal Case

A 77-year-old female with multiple cardiovascular comorbidities presented with increased work of breathing and was found to have hypotension, bradycardia, and hypoxia. Despite initial stabilization, the patient's condition declined, leading to a sudden cardiac arrest. Postmortem examination revealed the cause of death as aortic dissection, with exsanguination into the pericardium and left pleural space. This case illustrates the value of considering aortic dissection in patients with a history of Cushing's syndrome, even when their presenting symptoms are nonspecific.