Type B Aortic Dissection

Established April 15, 1995
University of West Georgia Disclaimer

Lorraine and Roger

Type B Aortic Dissection

2 November 1999

I am a 53 year old woman living in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada. I have two adult children, a woman of 32 years and a man of 27 years, I also have a 14 year old son. On July6, 1999 I had just returned home from having lunch with a friend. I was feeling fine. My young son was outside cutting the lawn. I had just returned to my bedroom from the bathroom when I suffered intense chest pain. I knew immediately this was serious. I managed to walk to the back door and call my son. He came in and called the ambulance. I was treated as a heart attack patient, given nitro and delivered to the hospital. I spent four hours in the hospital, with no clear diagnosis and then sent home. Instead of going home I went to my brother's where I had the reassurance of having my sister-in-law care for me. She is a nurse and was quite worried about my still intense symptoms. At 11:30p.m. we returned to the emergency with the same intense chest pain. I remained in emergency until 3:00 a.m. when the pain became so intense I begged someone to help me. At this point a Cat Scan was done.

They immediately recognized a Type B aortic dissection. The dissection begins at the left subclavian artery and extends distally to the aortic bifurcation and into the right common illiac artery. I was air lifted to Vancouver, B.C. to St.Paul's Hospital. I spend two weeks in St. Pauls where it was determined the most appropriate treatment would be medical. I was transferred from the CCU unit of St. Pauls to the ward, where I was mobilized and sent home.

I am presently being treated with Atenolol, Amoldipine and Enteric Coated Aspirin. I feel quite well, although I tire easily and certainly need to look after myself. I am walking up to two miles, trying to ward off weight gain.

I would be delighted to hear from anyone, as this is a very lonely illness. It is rather difficult because I look fine, (probably better as I have lost a lot of weight). There are definite low times though. I am researching as much as I can, and I have requested all of my medical records so I can review them with my sister-in-law and try and understand what is happening to me. I want to find the very best surgical care available incase I need surgery in the future. I also believe second opinions are valuable. To date there is no change in my dissection, which is disappointing as I expected some type of healing, but maybe I am rushing this too much?

Update 12 May 2001

It has been nearly two years since writing to this site of my initial dissection. One evening while watching the news I was fortunate to see featured a Dr. in Calgary that specializes in aortic stents. The description of the work he was doing seemed to fit my situation so I called my Dr. and asked for a referral to Dr. Moore. I sent copies the reports from my cat scans and much to my delight he agreed to see me. Following an angiogram and another cat scan it was determined that I was a good candidate for the placement of an aortic stent. The angiogram indicated that the false lumen was not feeding any major organs. Although the danger of paralysis was about 3% I decided to go for the surgery. The placement of the stent would be delicate as the dissection started just below the subclavian artery.

On March 6th following five hours of surgery I was back in my room. The procedure was a success. As Dr. Moore pointed out to me, the procedure had stopped the formation of another aneurysm which was forming on the aortic arch. I am feeling more energetic every day. I have poor circulation to the left side of my body, but I am swimming and walking and this should get better. The cat scan shows that the false lumen has congealed, thus providing support for the aorta.

This is a new procedure and there is no history to say what may happen next. I chose this because I believed I would be facing a much more risky surgery in five to ten years. I am thankful to Dr. Moore and his team. Dr. Moore has been especially responsive and monitored me with empathy and incredible expertise. My family and friends have showered me with love and care. I consider myself fortunate.

Please e-mail me if I can answer any questions orbe of any help.

Update: 22 Sep 2002

Hello Friends and Readers,

Following an MRI to check out my stent site I visited my Dr. on Thursday. He is pleased that the size of my aorta has not changed at all. There is still slight bleeding near the stomach area, but this is probably going to stay this way. The interesting thing is that he was able to (with the aid of a doppler), get a blood pressure reading in my left arm. This is a new development - and the blood pressure was 90/76. This is the a great number given the fact that the major artery is not feeding to this arm. My body is compensating.

I have started back working, and I have 17 little piano students. I am also working on completing my degree in music.

Thank you to the people on this web site who are willing to share their experiences.

Update: 5 June 2004

Here I am after five years since my original dissection. My recent MRI showed a shrinkage of the aneurysm/dissection to 3.5 centimetres, which is wonderful. This is only .5 cm larger than a healthy aorta. I have yearly check-ups now with my surgeon, and so far it has all been good.

I am still on blood pressure lowering medication, and will be for the rest of my life. This is no inconvenience, and rather a blessing that this medication exists to keep me safe. Although I am not able to do everything with the same degree of energy I did before the dissection, I am certainly able to live a full life. I am completing my degree in music this year (piano), and have twenty-one piano students.

Thank you very special family for the support and all the narratives and updates. And thank you to all the people I have met and talked to through this site.

One of my contacts e-mailed me a video of a stent placement surgery. I forwarded this to another contact - and on it goes. The miracle of technology is somewhat taking the mystery out of aneurysms, as is the sharing of information of people on this web site.

Update: 2 August 2006

My last visit for a cat scan and counsel was May 2006. This was a most positive experience as the aneurysm near the aortic arch has collapsed (for lack of a better word). The one at the bottom near the top of my left leg has not grown. I have had a weight loss of 65 pounds and been able to decrease my medication doseage a great deal. I still tire faster than others my age, but I am happy to be able to decrease the doseages of medication.

I am hoping to be able to organize a symposium in Calgary for aneurysm patients, and am at the very early stages of looking at the possibility of such an event.

Thank you, Aneurysm Family, for this web site and for the opportunity to speak to people from all over the world in similar circumstances.

Update: 29 January 2007

I am excited to have the opportunity to update my narrative. As I reported previously this year my last catscan indicated that one of my two aneurysms (almost sounds like good friends), has collapsed, and the other one is maintaining.

My new endeavour is that I am starting to train to walk a 60km , two day marathon in Calgary, Alberta. This is a breast cancer research fund raiser.

I am also in the planning stages of a Conference for Aortic Aneurysm patients to be held in Calgary - date to be announced. The planning committee has been formed and we are in the initial stages of putting together a Proposal for Funding.

The hope of the Committee is to provide a Conference which will address questions, research and topics of interest to aortic aneurysm patients. The travel and accommodation for this conference will hopefully be sponsored. Please write to me with your ideas about topics, questions, ideas you may have for this Conference.

Discussion, comments, or questions: Lorraine Hill

Top of page

Return to contents