17. A 75-year-old patient presents with new onset of severe, tearing chest pain radiating to the back, accompanied by a sudden drop in blood pressure and a widened mediastinum on chest X-ray. What is the critical urgency for immediate diagnosis and intervention?
A.
Acute myocardial infarction.
B.
Esophageal rupture.
C.
Aortic dissection, requiring urgent surgical intervention.
