17th July 2020

A 67-year-old patient with a background of atrial fibrillation

A 67-year-old patient with a background of atrial fibrillation, hypercholesterolaemia, longstanding type two diabetes mellitus and essential hypertension attends the emergency department with sudden onset generalized abdominal pain. He is sweaty and pale, and his fingers feel cold. On peripheral examination you note that he is tachycardic at 140 beats per minute. On examination of his abdomen, it is intensely tender but there are no other abdominal signs.

What is the single most likely diagnosis?

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.