How a Torn Aorta Can Do Lethal Damage

NY Times ^ | December 20, 2010 | DENISE GRADY

[neverdem]

The death of the veteran diplomat Richard C. Holbrooke last week shocked Americans and his many colleagues around the world. Mr. Holbrooke, 69, was a larger-than-life figure, a fearless and robust man who was apparently struck down without warning.

He became ill on a Friday, and was dead by Monday. According to government officials, the cause was a tear in his aorta, the artery that carries blood from the heart to vessels that feed the rest of the body.

Mr. Holbrooke underwent 21 hours of surgery from Friday to Saturday to repair the damage, and then another seven-hour operation on Sunday, all at George Washington University Medical Center in Washington. But no amount of surgery could save him.

Aortic tears may be unfamiliar to most people, but they kill at least 2,000 Americans a year, and possibly more, because some of the deaths may be mistakenly attributed to heart attacks. Tears are more common in men than in women, and most likely in people from 40 to 70. Their causes include uncontrolled high blood pressure, atherosclerosis and a genetic tendency to have weak tissue or an abnormal valve in the aorta. There may be no warning signs before the tear occurs.

The aorta is the biggest artery in the body, more than an inch wide in some spots. It has three layers; most tears start in the innermost one. Blood can then force its way into the tear and separate the layers, or peel them apart — a type of damage called aortic dissection.

A flap and a “false channel” can form inside the aorta and impede blood flow. And the pressure from the blood can keep enlarging the tear and the flap. If the tear goes all the way through and the aorta ruptures, death can be almost immediate...

[neverdem]

[RobbyS]

Einstein also died from one of these.

[null and void]

dissecting ping

[jocon307]

Didn’t John Ritter die of this too? And he was a good deal younger than Einstein or Holbrooke.

[buccaneer81]

Yes, Ritter did. He was 54.

[calex59]

How a Torn Aorta Can Do Lethal Damage

Wouldn't this sentence alone be self explanatory to anyone at all familiar with what an Aorta is?

[StayoutdaBushesWay]

If you've been or are a smoker, have had hypertension, and between 55-70 years old, please get screened. I would even suggest younger if you've had long term uncontrolled high blood pressure (IMHO). If you've been diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve in your life get screened regularly. I studied this in Cardiac Sonography school, and believe me this isn't something to mess around with. All it takes is a simple ultrasound and that could save your life.
They can catch it while it's still a dissection and repair it before it becomes an aneurysm.

[Oldexpat]

If you walked into an clinic..what would this ultra sound scan of your heart cost? Cash..no insurance?

[StayoutdaBushesWay]

There were several other factors I left out, but if you have any disease that involves the aorta, i.e., aortic insufficiency (regurgitation), aortic stenosis, etc. Please make sure you see your doctor on a regular basis.
I had a relative who died that didn't take it serious enough.

[LadyDoc]

this is what John Ritter died from, and the previous first gentleman of the Philippines actually was diagnosed and lived through the surgery....

[Slings and Arrows]

In related news: Water wet, fire burns.

[StayoutdaBushesWay]

Honestly I couldn't tell you as it varies from different regions. If you live in So. Cal. I could possibly set up a free echocardiogram for you at my school, if not check out this site.
http://www.findtheaaanswers.org/

If you have any concerns don't mess around. That's why I got into this field, I
don't want to see anyone else’s family be devastated by this if I can help it.
Freepmail me if you want to discuss it further, I don't mind at all.

[Reddy]

I had the same tin foil thoughts......

[spokeshave]

If you've been or are a smoker, have had hypertension, and between 55-70 years old,

Yes and Spokeshave is OK after ultrasound view.

[Strk321]

A ruptured aorta is what killed John Lennon too, although in his case it wasn’t due to natural causes.

[neverdem]

Wouldn't this sentence alone be self explanatory to anyone at all familiar with what an Aorta is?

It would be not self explanatory to the actual nature of the pathology in a dissecting aorta, IMHO. That's why I included the illustration in comment# 1. It could have been complicated by an aneurysm.

[23 Everest]

Proof, we need government takeover of health care./sac

Why didn't they take him to Cuba? According to Moose Moore they have fantastic health care on the little Caribbean island. Oh wait they banded his movie down there because is was full of Barbara Streisand.

[Grizzled Bear]

Wouldn't this sentence alone be self explanatory to anyone at all familiar with what an Aorta is?

"What is 'massive internal bleeding' Alex!"

[StayoutdaBushesWay]

Good to hear that. Did you get the ultrasound as a precaution, or did something else bring you to getting it done?
I can’t emphasize enough to my family and friends to get screened, this truly is a silent killer. It can be acute as well, if you get in an accident and suffer any chest trauma it can happen that way as well.