What Is Undiagnosed Aortic Dissection? What Are The Consequences? And Other Questions Answered

Aortic Dissection occurs when there is a tear in the inner layer of the body’s aorta. The aorta is commonly known as the main artery. The dissection happens as a result of blood rushing through the affected area. The rushing blood causes the inner and middle layers of the aorta to split. If the blood manages to get through the outside aortic wall, the result is aortic dissection which is often deadly. 

This article will discuss and answer some of the most frequently asked questions regarding aortic dissection. If you or a loved one have been misdiagnosed and later diagnosed with aortic dissection, the attorneys at Avera & Smith can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.

What Happens If an Aortic Dissection Is Undiagnosed By a Physician?

Whenever an aortic dissection is detected early and treated promptly, the chance of survival increases dramatically. By catching the condition at the onset, a physician has done their best to give their patient adequate care. 

When a physician fails to detect a condition early enough, it may be the result of negligence or medical malpractice. 

Contacting the experienced attorneys at Avera & Smith gives your case the best chance for success. With their free consultation, you can learn more about your case and what steps to take next. 

If a plaintiff can prove in a court of law that the physician has breached their duty of care by acting negligently, they may be entitled to damages.

Aortic Dissection is a relatively uncommon condition that typically affects men in their 60s and 70s. One of the primary reasons that aortic dissection is misdiagnosed or undiagnosed is that the symptoms may be similar to those of other diseases. By improperly diagnosing aortic dissection, the physician delays potentially life-saving treatment.

The Importance of Early Detection

Aortic Dissection is a very dangerous condition to have. By catching it early, the patient has the highest chance of survival. This section will discuss the main symptoms of aortic dissection. 

The team of attorneys at Avera & Smith specialize in medical negligence and medical malpractice and will use their experience in court to get results. Contact them today to schedule a free consultation.

What are the Symptoms of Aortic Dissection?

Aortic dissection has symptoms similar to those of other heart problems such as stroke or a  heart attack. This leads to the condition often being misdiagnosed. 

The Mayo Clinic lists the most common symptoms of aortic dissection to include:

• Sudden severe chest or upper back pain, often described as a tearing or ripping sensation that spreads to the neck or down the back
• Sudden severe stomach pain
• Loss of consciousness
• Shortness of breath
• Symptoms similar to those of a stroke, including sudden vision problems, difficulty speaking, and weakness or loss of movement (paralysis) on one side of your body
• Weak pulse in one arm or thigh compared with the other
• Leg pain
• Difficulty walking

If you or someone near you is having severe chest pain, have fainted, are suffering from sudden shortness of breath or showing symptoms of a stroke, call 911 immediately.  While these signs and symptoms aren’t always due to a serious problem, it is best to be seen by a doctor quickly. 

What are the Risks for Aortic Dissection? 

Medical History Can Reveal a Heightened Risk for Aortic Dissection

Certain existing conditions can make a person much more likely to develop aortic dissection. By recognizing these risk factors, a physician can properly test for and diagnose the problem early. On the contrary, a doctor who disregards medical records leading to undiagnosed aortic dissection may be guilty of medical malpractice. 

The Mayo Clinic describes the primary risk factors for aortic dissection as the following:

• Uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension)
• Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis)
• Weakened and bulging artery (aortic aneurysm)
• An aortic valve defect (bicuspid aortic valve)
• A narrowing of the aorta at birth (aortic coarctation)

Certain Diseases are Primary Risk Factors for Aortic Dissection

Turner syndrome

Proper treatment for a person with Turner Syndrome is routine checks of possible heart conditions. Aortic dissection is one of the many conditions checked.

Marfan syndrome

People with this disorder often have a family history of aneurysms of the aorta and other blood vessels or a family history of aortic dissections.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and other connective tissue disorders

A high risk group for aortic dissection are those with Elhlers-Danlos syndrome and other connective tissue disorders that involve loose joints and fragile blood vessels. Another connective tissue disorder that is a risk factor is Loeys-Dietz syndrome, which causes twisted arteries, especially in the neck.

Some Additional Risk Factors Include Sex Age, Physical Activity, and Drug Use.

Men over 60 are much more likely to have aortic dissection than women or younger men. These risk factors increase in those who have poor heart health. Men over 60 with additional risk factors should be checked extensively whenever symptoms of a heart condition are present. 

What are the Consequences of Undiagnosed Aortic Dissection?

Aortic Dissection is a dangerous condition that needs to be diagnosed early in order to be properly treated. Consequences of a failure to act early include:

• Death due to severe internal bleeding
• Organ damage, such as kidney failure or life-threatening intestinal damage
• Stroke
• Aortic valve damage (aortic regurgitation) or rupture into the lining around the heart (cardiac tamponade)

Undiagnosed Aortic Dissection Can Occur as a Result of a Physician’s Negligence

By diagnosing and properly treating aortic dissection at the onset, a physician met the standard of care required. In some instances, however, if reported symptoms goes undiagnosed and untreated, it may be the result of a doctor’s negligence.If you or a loved one feel that you’ve been a victim of medical negligence then compensation is owed.  Contact the attorneys at Avera & Smith for a free consultation and start your journey to getting the justice you deserve.