Aortic dissection

[Nobodysplusone]

My partner collapsed yesterday and went to hospital with suspected heart attack. Turned out he had an aortic dissection and was taken to London hospital via ambulance. He then had a cardiac arrest and needed CPR and an 8 hour operation. He's now on a ventilator.Nobody can visit just odd phone updates. Anyone with any experience as I don't know what to expect ? Feeling useless sat here.

Oh, poor you. The worry is awful. I hope he makes a good recovery

You poor thing, that must all be very frightening. Don't know much about that condition but just wanted to say that he is in the best place for now, and to look after yourself after such a fright. You might be able to speak to a doctor who can tell you what to expect in the coming days.
Have you people around to support you?

Thanks for replies. I'm not hearing much from the hospital as he's not conscious so there is little change. It was a major op and I'm just wondering what to expect with regards to recovery times etc.It all happened so quickly yesterday. I do have family and friend support on the phone but I'd rather be sat at the hospital than on my own here.

I’m sorry you’re going through this. It’s a serious condition but your partner is in good hands and has survived the op so stay positive if you can.
The British Heart Foundation has some more information here:
www.bhf.org.uk/-/media/files/publications/medical-information-sheets/fact-sheets_diseases-of-the-aorta_2017.pdf

Thank you Oly4. Because I can't visit I'm not getting much info. He is awake though and I spoke on the phone ,which was such a relief.

It's great he's awake. It's a long haul for him but surviving the operation is a major step in the right direction. Fingers crossed and an unmumsnetty hug for you

Hi Nobodysplusone, welcome, unfortunately, to the club no-one would choose to be a member of. I have had an AD myself, including a 14 hour operation, and being ventilated in ICU. This will be a huge shock but firstly, I am so glad your partner was correctly diagnosed and if they were taken to London it will probably have been to one of the specialist aortic centres. Depending on what is necessary, there is a range of possible outcomes in terms of time, etc. You need some experienced support from those who have been through this and there is a fantastic Facebook support group called Aortic Dissection Buddies UK & Ireland. Loads of people on there, both those who have had dissections and their partners. Please do head over there. Also the association's website is aorticdissectionawaremess.org Best wishes

Typo: aorticdissectionawareness.org

Thank you survivor and musicalmum will have a look at those. Not sure how long he will be in hospital, especially in these strange circumstances. I guess timescales on recovery are individual. I have spoken to him today about unicorns and fairy dust , which doesn't really help

Well it's now day 12 and he says they want to send him home today. The delirium he suffered all last weekend has gone and he's much more with it. He's exhausted just talking or eating so can do very little. He says his feet are swollen and painful now too. He still is not sleeping as he has to sit upright.I really don't know how much help he is going to need.Nobody from the hospital had contacted me to say they are bringing him home today, and then he calls me at 4.15pm to say they told him he can go home and I need to fetch him. It's a two hour drive each way, he isn't even dressed and has no clothes with him. There's also two flights of stairs this end. I was told by a doctor three days ago to ignore what he is saying as he is delirious and there is no way I would be expected to fetch him he would be brought in an ambulance.The doctor also told me he would not be discharged without the cardiac rehabilitation team contacting me. He almost laughed at the idea! That was the last I heard from a doctor. To top it all there is Covid in his room. Someone tested positive this morning.He's had a test. Results tomorrow

12 days sounds a bit early to me after an 8 hour operation and some delirium. Presumably also he's having to sit up as he has a lung issue. I would only listen to what one of the hospital staff tell you about him being discharged. I had ICU delirium quite badly after mine and I was asking for all sorts of crazy things, wanting to be seen by another hospital as I was conbinced they weren't doing the right things. I can look back and laugh now but it was real for me. It's a hard, but you and he will get through this, and I am sure they will tale the necessary action ober the Covid case. Do think about joining the Facebook group I mentioned, there's a wealth of support there and there will definitely be folk there who have been in the same hospital. Best wishes to you both

Bless you. I'd go with what the doctor said and chalk it up to delirium again.

No his sister spoke to a nurse earlier. She was insistent I should fetch him. His sister was insistent that I wouldn't . They reluctantly agreed to arrange transport and he is now waiting for Group 4 to collect him.He has not had the results of the Covid test and the nurse said he would be discharged even if he was positive !

AD survivor my application is pending . Thank you.

My brother in law had this. Sudden collapse and rushed to hospital in blue lights.
He was very poorly for a week and kept sedated all that time.
He was roused and gained strength day by day.
He’s now fit and well and in his 70’s.
You’d never know how ill he was.
All the best to you and your husband x

I'm so glad he's come though this. Is he back on a normal ward now? I'd speak to the nurse in charge and ask them to go through the discharge assessment with you. They really shouldn't just be sending him home without discussing his needs with you first, let alone the possibility of him having covid and travelling.

He arrived home in a Group4 van in the early hours of the morning.No call from the hospital to even say he was on his way.They had no chair to lift him up two flights of stairs, so he had to walk. Although he was exhausted he didn't sleep at all last night and was disorientated and agitated. He was sent back with 10 different sets of pills and a discharge letter.He is breathless and dizzy and his feet and legs are very swollen. He's finally dozed off in a chair as he can't lie down.

Oh and he still doesn't have his covid result.

Good lord. I know the NHS is on its knees but that is ridiculous!

You say the hospital he was in is 2 hours away, I assume that is because it was a specialist cardiothoracic unit. If he feels he is struggling or you think he is too unwell to be at home get him admitted to your local dgh via either the gp or a&e. They may then be able to move him to a community hospital for a bit.

Im hopeful that when he settles and sleeps ok he will improve a lot. The dihydrocodeine seems to have made him sleep.

Still no sleep at night. Agitation starts around 8pm and is panic by 2am. Tried with lights, without, with tv without. Nothing helps. Emergency Dr. prescribed Zopiclone for last night but still no sleep. He's terrified of not breathing. All understandable but any experience and advice anyone please ?

You poor things. Agitation is common after a big AD operation, I was under an induced coma for a long time and they couldn't bring me out for ages as I became too agitated. It's definitely something you need to report to a doctor urgently. He probably needs more than just pain killers/sleeping tabs. If you can't get a doctor quickly, either 111 or possibly A&E.

Evening. Thank you AD . Managed do get Zopiclone yesterday which gave him about four hours peace. Been awake all day today. No naps so try again tonight. Called his GP today who had not received his copy of the discharge letter as the hospital had sent it to the wrong doctors surgery.