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Aortic Dissection Repair Type A
Aortic dissection repair type A could be in my future. Fortunately as of annual echocardiogram measurements since my diagnosis of chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy, my aorta, remains “moderately dilated.”
Of the main risk factors listed below of:
- Longstanding high blood pressure-
- Fatty plaques and
- Marfan syndrome-
I have only Marfan syndrome. I say “only” because I work to keep my blood pressure below normal and my weight also below normal.
What are the risks for aortic dissection?
- High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Chronic high blood pressure can damage the aorta’s walls, making them more susceptible to dissection.
- Atherosclerosis: The buildup of plaque in the arteries can weaken the aortic wall.
- Connective Tissue Disorders: Conditions such as Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and other connective tissue disorders can cause the aorta to be more fragile and prone to tearing.
- Pre-existing Aortic Aneurysm: An aneurysm, or an abnormal bulge in the aorta, can increase the risk of dissection.
- Age: The risk increases with age, particularly in individuals over 60.
- Gender: Men are more likely to experience aortic dissection than women.
- Family History: A family history of aortic dissection or aneurysms can increase the risk.
- Bicuspid Aortic Valve: This congenital condition, where the aortic valve has only two leaflets instead of three, can lead to a higher risk of dissection.
- Inflammatory or Infectious Conditions: Certain inflammatory conditions, such as giant cell arteritis or syphilis, can increase the risk.
- Trauma: Severe chest trauma, such as from a car accident, can cause aortic dissection.
- Cocaine or Other Stimulant Use: The use of stimulant drugs can lead to acute increases in blood pressure, which can contribute to dissection.
- Pregnancy: Rarely, pregnancy can be a contributing factor due to increased blood volume and hormonal changes that affect the aorta.
man hand holding his nutritional supplemets, healthy lifestyle background.
I undergo a number of evidence-based non-conventional therapies to reduce my risks of hypertension and aortic dissection such as:
among other therapies. My point is that I manage my heart health with evidence-based non-conventional therapies. No conventional medications. At all.
Is aortic dissection repair type A in your future? Are you at risk of aortic dissection? If you’d like to learn more about evidence-based non-conventional heart therapies email me at David.PeopleBeatingCancer@gmail.com
thank you,
David Emerson
- Cancer Survivor
- Cancer Coach
- Director PeopleBeatingCancer
Type A aortic dissection
“The wall of the aorta consists of inner, middle and outer layers. Aortic dissection occurs when there is a tear in the inner layer, which allows blood to enter through the tear and fill up between the inner and middle layers, causing these layers to separate or ‘dissect’. Type A dissection occurs when the tear develops in the ascending part of the aorta just as it branches off the heart, while Type B dissection involves the lower aorta. While Type A dissection is the more dangerous form, chances of survival are significantly improved with early detection and management…
Risk factors
Aortic dissection is more common in males and in individuals over the age of 60. The most important modifiable risk factor is longstanding high blood pressure, which results in excessive stress on the inside wall of the aorta, predisposing it to tearing.
Other important risk factors include the presence of fatty plaques, areas of weakened tissue and bulging in the aorta and defects of the aortic valve, such as a bicuspid valve.
There are also a number of genetic conditions which predispose the aorta to dissection. These include connective tissue disorders such as Marfan syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, where the structural support within the aortic wall is weakened…
Gender Differences in Repair Strategy, Not Outcomes for Aortic Dissection Type A
“Aortic dissection type A was found to occur twice as frequently in men vs women, with a later occurrence in women, but similar surgical outcomes for both genders, according to a study published in The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery.
Researchers aimed to assess gender differences in clinical presentation and dissection patterns, as well as gender-based surgical treatment and outcomes for acute aortic dissection type A. Data were collected from the multicenter, prospective German Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection Type A (GERAADA) between July 2006 and June 2015. An online questionnaire was used to collect information on demographics, cardiovascular risks, diagnostic methods, clinical evaluations, surgery details, postoperative outcomes, and cause of death.
Of the 3380 patients included in this study, 63.5% were men. The average age of women was higher than that of men (65.5 years vs 59.2 years, respectively; P <.001), and men were more frequently diagnosed with hemiplegia/hemiparesis (P =.085) and paraplegia/paraparesis (P =.018) at admission.
Visceral and renal malperfusions were more frequently observed in men (P =.006 for both), and men with Marfan syndrome were diagnosed twice as often as women with Marfan syndrome (P =.002). Descending thoracic aorta dissections and abdominal aorta dissections were more frequent in men vs women (P =.028 and P =.01, respectively), and dissections of all aortic segments down to the abdominal aorta were more frequent in younger patients (P =.076).
Supracoronary ascending aortic replacement was more frequent in women (P <.001), and aortic root replacement by composite graft implantation or David surgery was more frequent in men (P <.001). There were no significant gender differences for outcomes, including 30-day morality (odds ratio, 1.15; 95% CI, 0.92-1.44; P =.21).
Study limitations include a lack of assessment of patients who died before treatment or were treated conservatively, and a short follow-up to assess outcomes (30-day).
“This analysis highlights important differences in the clinical presentations of and surgical approaches to type A dissection in women and men,” noted the study authors. “Aortic dissection involves the entire aorta more frequently in men, and they experience visceral and renal malperfusion more frequently. Although the arch repair pattern was similar in both genders, men underwent complex aortic root repair or replacement more frequently.” Several study authors declared affiliations with the pharmaceutical industry. Please see the original reference for a full list of authors’ disclosures.”