Surgery for Aortic Dissection
An aortic dissection surgery is performed to correct the condition in which a tear occurs in the inner layer of the body's main artery (aorta).
Some facts about Aortic Dissection:
- Blood rushes through the tear which has occurred in the inner layer of the body's main artery, causing the inner and middle layers of the aorta to split (dissect).
- Aortic dissection is often deadly if the blood goes through the outside aortic wall.
- An aortic dissection is generally caused by a weakened area of the aorta's wall.
- A tear is involved in the part of the aorta where it exits the heart in type A aortic dissection.
- The tear may also occur in the ascending aorta, which may extend into the abdomen.
- The tear involves in the lower aorta only (descending aorta) in type B aortic dissection, which may also extend into the abdomen in other type of Aortic dissections..
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension), hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), weakened and bulging artery (aortic aneurysm), an aortic valve defect (bicuspid aortic valve) and a narrowing of the aorta at birth (aortic coarctation) are some of the things that may raise your risk of aortic dissection
- You have an aortic dissection if you have sudden tearing or ripping chest pain, blood pressure difference between the right and left arms or widening of the aorta on chest X-ray.
Preparation for Aortic Dissection surgery:
- Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE), Computerized tomography (CT) scan of the chest and Magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) are some of the test taht can be performed before the surgery to confirm an aortic dissection.
- Inform your healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicines before giving general anesthesia.
- Also inform about any loose teeth, bridges, crowns, or other types of dental work, if you have.
- You need to inform about all the medicines you take, including both over-the-counter and prescription medicines as well as vitamins, herbs, and other supplements.
Procedure for Aortic Dissection surgery:
- Treatment of Aortic Dissection may include surgery or medications, depending on the area of the aorta involved.
- Standard open heart surgery and less-invasive endovascular surgery are two possible surgery methods for aortic dissection repair.
- Less-invasive endovascular surgery may be advised if you aren't strong enough for open heart surgery or if the dissection is in your descending aorta
- As much of the dissected aorta as possible will be removed by the surgeon during the procedure and blood can be stopped from leaking into the aortic wall.
- A graft which is a synthetic tube is used to reconstruct the aorta.
- The aortic valve may be replaced at the same time if it leaks as a result of the damaged aorta.
- The new valve will be placed within the graft.
- Medications are given to reduce heart rate and lower blood pressure with type A aortic dissection to can prevent the aortic dissection from worsening before surgery.
- The same medications that are used for the treatment of type A aortic dissection may be used to treat type B aortic dissections, without surgery.
- Although, the procedure for type B aortic dissection is similar to that used to correct a type A aortic dissection, stents which are small wire mesh tubes that act as a sort of scaffolding may be placed in the aorta sometimes to repair complicated type B aortic dissections.
- You may need to take medication to control your blood pressure for the rest of your life after treatment.
- Regular CT scans or MRI scans are also advisable to monitor your condition.
