Aortic Dissection

[Onesipmore]

Has anyone ever experienced this? Or a relative? If so, what was the prognosis and recovery plan? I understand this is quite niche!

There are different types of dissection and the prognosis/management depends on the type. Best people to advise are the ones who can see the imaging/person and other test results.

Very much depends on the type and severity in terms of size. Some people will survive for many many years with a small dissection (many people are unaware they have one until it is picked up ‘accidentally’ on a scan/X-ray), others the prognosis is much shorter due to imminent rupture.
Many are managed conservatively, meaning they are monitored without the need for surgery. If not, depending on the severity, surgery is either relatively straight forwards with an easy recovery (barring complications of course) for a graft insertion via the vessels in the groin or if needing open surgery much more complex, high risk with a tricky recovery period.
Not a straight forward answer I’m afraid, but I’ve found the vascular teams very honest and helpful in the past

I can only give a little on this subject as we only deal with the initial. I'm a Crit care paramedic.

They're pretty scary and very serious and our priority is to get them to hospital ASAP. We place 2 large cannulas into the patients arm or wherever we can get a vein, and have them on a 12 lead ECG and 100% oxygen.

Symptoms were extreme dizziness, vomiting, throbbing / burning neck pain, impending sense of doom, chest pain etc and faint. Although cardiac arrest / unconsciousness can occur in minutes depending on the circumstances.

The most important thing is getting to a hospital ASAP for the best fighting chance.

I know someone who had it done.
The op’ was straightforward.
Open surgery.
Big scar.
It was the pneumonia post op’ which nearly killed him.
ICU for several weeks.
Pulled through ok.
Sent home with Covid. (FFS)
Six weeks recovery at home.
Needed lots of high protein (Sanatogen powder added to everything) and good diet to aid healing and regain physical strength. Hospital food was dire. He was terribly malnourished.
All good now.

Thank you! Stent has been put in via groin. Its the aftercare Im not sure about. No work, driving, lifting, or anything really and of course needing to keep BP down. There didn't seem to be much info on what do do 6 weeks post op, in terms of getting back to normal, exercise etc etc. Fr example pain across mid back can be severe if walking and I can't tell if that's a symptom of something going on, or whether its part of healing process !

How was the dissection discovered may I ask? I thought it was always discovered too late? My friend died from that a long time ago so maybe things have improved?

I don't have an aortic dissection but have had another artery dissect and subsequently haemorrhage. I have regular scans inc pet ct and mri to monitor the situation. Bp is monitored and I also take biological meds and had chemo as mine is due to an auto immune condition. I also have bloods done every 4 weeks.

Any new pain is investigated but I also take opioids to manage. Can they be referred to the pain clinic? Any questions, I'd contact the consultants secretary and also request a follow up.

@WindowsSmindows it can be picked up as part of another investigation but yes mostly, it's picked up when they haemorrhage. I was lucky and didn't bleed out- mine clotted and sealed itself.

Thanks all
@WindowsSmindows it was diagnosed after chest pains and a subsequent CT scan showed it up.
@ToeJamming are you able to excersise, live a normal life as per before? Does it make you nervous when anything changes ? Hope you don't mind me asking.

Yes i should be able to exercise as before, but i spent a long time in hospital and am currently having physio as im deconditioned- it's not the dissection that's preventing it though. I really think they need to speak to a consultant to assertain What would be best for them- if they need to ease into things gently etc.

Thanks @ToeJamming and best of luck with your recovery.

Bit late to this, but in case you’re still interested! My dad had a type A AD.

It depends on the cause of the AD, but generally for those who survive both the AD and the surgery (without serious complications), I think the overall outlook is pretty good and many can live a near normal life afterwards.

The first few months after surgery are very painful and includes breathing and walking physio, plus restrictions on lifting and walking the dog. Lifelong blood pressure management is needed, and you will have annual scans to check how your aorta is doing. Sometimes additional surgeries will be needed.

There is an organisation called Aortic Dissection Awareness UK & Ireland who have lots of information, including a patient guide. Also, Think Aorta is a campaign to raise awareness of AD, as it is often missed by HCPs due to being so rare.

@Iamcatmum Thank you! All of that sounds very accurate !