I'm brand new to this board, and I'd like to thank everyone in advance for all the support. This board has been great, and in browsing through all the subjects, I have found this to be more informative and supportive than my own doctor!
My husband survived an aortic dissection at age 41 (he's 43 now). He was on a business trip and collapsed, had emergency open heart surgey, and survived. He has high BP, high cholesterol -- both controlled by medication. We're told he's very lucky to be alive.
He just had a cat scan of his chest done and has been told he needs another surgery because he has another dissection. His surgery isn't scheduled until the beginning of November. If this was an emergency, wouldn't the doctor have insisted it be done earlier?
Also, he doesn't feel the need to get a second opinion -- he said he saw the dissection clear as day on the films and is very comfortable with the surgeon (head of cardiothoracic surgery at very good hospital in NYC). I wouldn't let anyone cut into my chest without a second opinion, but I'm going to have to let him call the shots. Would you push this?
I feel like he's a walking time bomb, but he assures me he's fine. He wouldn't let me go with him when he saw the surgeon (said I get to worked up about this).
If your husband trusts this surgeon that is half the battle. Evidently the dissection is not putting him in immediate danger or they surely would have scheduled it immediately. He is very lucky that they are able to do a second surgery. I've known people who have that and are not able to have surgery. I also knew of a fellow that had that and they knew it was there but were just watching it closely. I would imagine they've got him on some medicine to keep his blood pressure low to keep from causing more strain on the area. I'm sure it's very scary for you since you came so close to losing him before.
Thanks for responding, cutup. Yes, he does trust the surgeon, so perhaps I just need to trust the heavens above. I was also glad to hear that there are people out there that are walking around with dissections that are just being "monitored" -- meaning, my husband is not a walking time bomb as I'd originally thought. His surgeon said he is a prime candidate for this surgery -- in otherwise excellent health with a strong heart.
I also posted to another one you responded to "kind/type of chest pains" -- could you take a look at that when you have a moment and let me know your reaction? Thanks so much. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this support.
Aortic Dissection 
