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Type B aortic dissection

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glenys09123
glenys09123

My mother was diagnosed with this condition 7 weeks ago and specialists gave her two week to live due to complications , Plueral Effusion , Intramural Haematoma High Blood Pressure and thickening of the Aorta. So far she has defied the doctors prognosis ! She is very pale and weak can still ambulate but on short distances due to breathlessness. Her appetite has decreased due to a feeling of trouble swallowing. She has had a cough which takes her breath away  for the last two weeks we thought it may be a chest infection but GP has advised us there is no infection . She stated that the cough is due to pressure on the laryngeal nerve from the aorta, she said that that would be the cause of her difficulty swallowing. My question is is this a anerysm from the dissection or from the haematoma and could this mean a rupture is about to happen ???

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • rocky31676
    rocky31676 glenys09123

    Posted

    What was the size of the Aorta thickening? Aortic dissections is tearing of aorta, is  uncommon but can occur in age over 70s.

    It is different from Aortic aneurysm, when there is bulge in a weak spot. 

    Aneurysm increases the risk of aortic dissection and not the other way round. 

    • glenys09123
      glenys09123 rocky31676

      Posted

      Hi Rocky , the thickening of aorta wall is 1.1cm with several foci of ulcerations underlying the intramural haematoma , with a aneurysm measuring 2.4 cm in diameter involving the common illiac artery . Mum is doing ok , she is breathless but is happy which is all we can hope for .
    • rocky31676
      rocky31676 glenys09123

      Posted

      Thats great since your post was over 8 months ago. How old is your mom, and did anyone else in your family get these problems you described? 
    • glenys09123
      glenys09123 rocky31676

      Posted

      No no one in the family , yes she has done very well , mum is 88 ! We know its just a ticking time bomb , but the prognosis from doctors was a real shock and she has defied them so far !! They said because she has the penetrating ulcers and the intramural haematoma that that is a indication that a rupture will happen .
    • rocky31676
      rocky31676 glenys09123

      Posted

      Thats's great. The pentrating ulcer is in the aorta or somewhere else? 

      Hematoma is blood outside of aorta or a blood vessel, and that would indicated the bleeding from the rupture or something else has already happened. 

       

    • glenys09123
      glenys09123 rocky31676

      Posted

      The docs said that there was a bleed from a small tear in aorta near the arch and it clotted causing the haematoma there are several penetrating ulcers under the aorta , they said its just like a bandaid holding it , all I can say that it is a very strong bandaid !!!! Her abdo was filled with blood from the bleed and she has pleral effusion , she is one tough lady . We were so grateful to have had her for Xmas and every day now is a blessing !! I have shown reports from hospital to a cardiologist at work and he said she is a walking miricle !!!
    • rocky31676
      rocky31676 glenys09123

      Posted

      Wow, thats really a miracle, cause pleural effusion itself will cause a lot of problem. Don't understand why the docs are not operating on her to remove the excess blood. It can drown her lungs not to mention other hemorrhagic problems in the abdomen and chest areas.

    • glenys09123
      glenys09123 rocky31676

      Posted

      They said it would absorb with time ??? They made her palitive , they are so shocked she is still around , the size of the harmatoma is 7cm from the arch decending down. As long as her bp is controlled she seems to be fine but in the last two weeks it is creeping up despite meds , she has alzhiemers so she is unaware of her condition which is good but she is enjoying life atm which makes us happy smile

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