How does a patient with aortic dissection describe their pain?

A patient with aortic dissection typically describes their pain as sharp and shearing. This arises from the mechanism of dissection, where there is a tear in the aortic intima that allows blood to flow between the layers of the aorta, effectively splitting them apart. This intense and sudden pain is often felt in the chest and may radiate to the back, resembling a "tearing" sensation, which corresponds to the sharp and shearing nature of the pain described.

The other descriptors do not align well with the typical presentation of aortic dissection. Dull, aching pain tends to be more associated with conditions like myocardial ischemia or stable angina, where the pain is less acute. Localized throbbing pain could refer to other vascular conditions but does not accurately reflect the sudden and severe nature of dissection pain. Radiating chest pain, while it can occur, often lacks the sharp, shearing characteristic that is more distinctive for aortic dissection. Thus, the correct description of the pain associated with this condition is best captured by the sharp, shearing description.