Acute Aortic Dissection Misdiagnosed
An acute aortic dissection is life-threatening. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are crucial if the patient is to survive.
What is an acute aortic dissection?
The term 'acute aortic dissection' refers to a form of damage to one of the blood vessels leaving the heart. The aorta is the major artery which carries oxygenated blood away from the heart to the cells of the body.
An acute aortic dissection is when the inner lining of the aorta tears, allowing blood to leak in to the space between the inner and medial layers. This can cause a new 'false' channel to develop and can disrupt the delivery of blood and oxygen to the body's major organs.
What is the impact of an acute aortic dissection?
An undiagnosed acute aortic dissection can cause a range of severe health problems which become increasingly likely the longer the condition goes untreated.
- If the newly-formed channel outside the inner lining of the aorta breaks due to the unexpected pressure of blood flow, the blood will leak out of the aorta and the patient is unlikely to survive
- The functioning of the heart can be threatened by aortic regurgitation
- The functioning of the kidneys and other organs can be compromised by the impact on blood flow
Symptoms and diagnosis of an acute dissection
An acute aortic dissection is not easily diagnosed as its symptoms can be confused with other conditions such as a pulmonary embolism or pericarditis.
A patient with acute aortic dissection may present with the following symptoms:
- Sudden chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Abdominal pain
- Stroke-like symptoms of loss of speech or vision problems
- Fainting
These symptoms could indicate a number of heart conditions and it is important to consider broader factors such as gender and age. For example, acute aortic dissection is more common in men between the ages of 50 and 70. It is also more likely to occur in people who suffer with high blood pressure or are smokers.
Acute aortic also occasionally occurs in pregnant women and this combination of symptoms should prompt a medical professional to consider the possibility of acute aortic dissection. This level of suspicion should also apply to a woman who has recently given birth who presents with these symptoms.
Treatment for an acute dissection
Treatment of acute aortic dissection is a matter of medical emergency. A delay in treatment could prove fatal.
The patient is likely to require significant support in an intensive care or high dependency unit. Their blood pressure needs to be maintained in order to try to prevent organ damage.
Surgery is likely to be necessary in order to prevent further damage occurring as well as trying to repair the aorta itself.
Medical negligence
Prompt recognition that a patient may be suffering from acute aortic dissection is vital in order to ensure that the appropriate tests are carried out, such as a CT scan, before surgery can take place.
A delay in referral for tests, undertaking of tests or the commencement of treatment can be fatal and may be considered to have been negligent.
Speak to a solicitor
If you or a loved one have suffered due to the delayed diagnosis and treatment of acute aortic dissection, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Call us now to discuss your situation with a specialist medical negligence solicitor.
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