AORTIC HOPE

Penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers (PAU) are pathologies that involve the aortic wall and along with aortic dissection and aortic intramural hematoma, form the spectrum of acute aortic syndrome. https://lnkd.in/dY5HsBQq European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery EJVES European Journal of Vascular and Endovasc Surg

What Paramedics need to know about Aortic Dissection Paramedics need to know that aortic dissection is a serious condition that requires immediate attention: Suspicion Have a high suspicion for aortic dissection, especially if the patient has chest pain, back pain, or abdominal pain. Transport Rapidly transport the patient to a hospital with cardiothoracic surgery capabilities. Monitoring Establish two large-bore IVs and continuously monitor the patient's cardiac rhythm, blood pressure, and heart rate. Oxygen Administer oxygen to maintain an O2 sat of greater than 90%. Blood pressure. If the patient is hypertensive, lower their blood pressure to less than 110/systolic. A beta blocker is a good first-choice agent. Heart rate Target a heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute. Shock If the patient is hypotensive and showing signs of shock or altered mental status, be prepared to give an IV fluid bolus. Diagnostic studies Perform ECG, transthoracic echocardiography, and blood tests. ***** A computed tomography scan (CT) with contrast is the first line for definitive diagnosis. ***** Aortic dissection occurs when blood is forced between the layers of the aorta, causing the layers to separate. The mortality rate for aortic dissection is 1-2% per hour for the first 24-48 hours. #thinkaorta #thinkaortathinkfamily #aortaed #aortichope

An important read for patients...

When a patient is diagnosed with an aortic dissection, doctors will: Control the tear: Doctors will lower the patient's blood pressure to reduce the tear. This is usually done with beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, or other medications. Determine if surgery is needed: Doctors will consider the location of the dissection, its chronicity, and any complications. Surgery is usually recommended for dissections in the ascending aorta, the first few inches closest to the heart. Treat complications: Doctors will treat any complications that arise. Aortic dissection is an emergent event that may be fatal; death can occur within hours or days of the initial symptoms. Symptoms include: Sudden, severe chest or upper back pain that may spread to the neck or down the back Loss of consciousness Shortness of breath After surgery, patients will need to take medication to control their blood pressure for the rest of their lives. They may also need to: Spend at least a month recovering Stay in the hospital for about the first week Stay in the intensive care unit until their vital signs are stable Avoid strenuous physical activities and sports #ThinkAorta #AorticHope

⚡ Aortic Dissection: A Silent and Deadly Threat ⚡ When a hypertensive patient suddenly experiences severe chest or back pain, we must consider the possibility of an acute aortic dissection—a life-threatening condition that requires immediate attention. 🔬 What is Aortic Dissection?   It’s a longitudinal splitting of the aortic wall caused by blood entering the media layer, which can lead to devastating outcomes such as aortic incompetence, cardiac tamponade, or rupture into the mediastinum—leading to rapid exsanguination. 💡 Key Facts: • More than 70% of patients have a history of hypertension.   • It's more common in those with bicuspid aortic valve, Marfan’s syndrome, or Ehlers–Danlos syndrome.   • Up to 20% of cases follow recent cardiac surgery or procedures like angiography/angioplasty.   • Classified as Stanford type A (involving the ascending aorta) or type B (not involving the ascending aorta), with mortality rates as high as 35% for type A. 🚨 Early recognition and intervention are critical for improving survival in patients with this condition. Let’s stay vigilant and spread awareness about this potentially fatal emergency. #AorticDissection #Hypertension #Cardiology #CardiacSurgery #AorticHealth #EmergencyMedicine #StanfordTypeA #StanfordTypeB #HeartHealth #Healthcare #MedicalEmergency #VascularHealth #AorticRupture #PatientCare

Aortic Hope is proud to be represented at the #GHH Unite Summit this year! #aortichope

Today is Topic Tuesday, and we will break down some interesting facts about our favorite organ. I wanted to take today to talk to you a little bit about the anatomy of the 𝗮𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝘁! The root is the most "proximal" or closest region of the aorta, which connects directly to the heart's large pumping chambers. It has several important components critical for surgeons and doctors to consider when evaluating aortic disease. First, the aortic root includes the aortic valve opening and closing during the cardiac cycle to direct blood into the aorta. Closely related to the aortic valve are the "Sinuses of Valsalva." Small dilations just above the aortic valve help provide adequate space for the leaflets to expand to open. Another essential function of the Sinuses of Valsalva is that they help direct blood flow into the coronary arteries, which supply the surface of the heart. When performing aortic root surgery, surgeons must be diligent as they safely cut and re-implant the right and left coronary arteries. The final part of the aortic root is the sinotubular junction, the highest point of the root. It marks the transition between the aortic root and the beginning of the ascending aorta. The aortic root is commonly involved in thoracic aortic aneurysms because it is an area under constantly high pressure. As your heart generates enough pressure to drive oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body, your aortic root must be strong enough to withstand this pressure load but also stretchy and elastic enough to expand and accommodate the large blood volume flowing its way. #aortaed #aortichope

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This week, we're continuing our Medication Spotlight with 𝗔𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗻-𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝗻𝘇𝘆𝗺𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 (𝗔𝗖𝗘 𝗶𝗻𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀) 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗖𝗘 𝗜𝗻𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀? ACE inhibitors, or Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme inhibitors, are a class of drugs commonly prescribed to manage high blood pressure (hypertension) and heart conditions. In patients with aortic disease, controlling blood pressure is critical to preventing further damage to the aorta. High blood pressure increases the force exerted on the aorta's walls, significantly raising the risk of rupture. By lowering blood pressure, ACE inhibitors help to stabilize and minimize the strain on the aorta. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗗𝗼 𝗔𝗖𝗘 𝗜𝗻𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸? ACE inhibitors work by blocking the enzyme that converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a substance that causes blood vessels to narrow. When angiotensin II is reduced, blood vessels relax and widen, allowing blood to flow more easily. This decreases blood pressure, which reduces the amount of force the heart needs to pump blood through the aorta. Lowering blood pressure with ACE inhibitors is vital for patients with aortic disease because it helps slow down the progression of aneurysms and reduces the risk of dissection. Also, ACE inhibitors improve heart function, which is helpful in patients whose aortic disease is accompanied by heart failure or other cardiovascular issues. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗖𝗘 𝗜𝗻𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲: Lisinopril Enalapril Ramipril 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗖𝗘 𝗜𝗻𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀! Studies suggest that ACE inhibitors can reduce inflammation and improve the structure of blood vessels over time, which may help prevent the development or progression of aneurysms. ACE inhibitors are used to prevent excessive aortic dilation for patients with conditions like bicuspid aortic valve disease. 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴-𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗨𝘀𝗲 Like beta-blockers (spoken about in our first Medication Spotlight post), ACE inhibitors are often a long-term treatment for patients with aortic disease. Regular monitoring by healthcare providers is essential to ensure that the medication effectively controls blood pressure and prevents complications. Patients on ACE inhibitors may also undergo routine blood tests to check kidney function and electrolyte levels, as these medications can affect both. If you or a loved one has been prescribed ACE inhibitors for aortic disease, it’s crucial to take them as prescribed and work closely with your healthcare team to monitor your condition. Always consult your doctor to understand the best treatment strategy for your unique situation. #aortaed #aortichope

Remarkable progress has become especially apparent in aortic medicine in the last few decades. Aortic dissection is the most frequent acute aortic disease, often involving both the thoracic and abdominal aortic segments. For the entire article, click the link: https://lnkd.in/g7ttZZYV #aortaed #aortichope #aorticdissection #aorta