A team of doctors from the City-based Ramakrishna Hospital successfully performed a rare surgery on Aortic dissection on a 46-year-old woman here. The acute dissection of the aorta is a rare condition and has to be identified early and emergency steps be taken for a successful outcome. Only five to 30 patients per million suffer from this condition every year.

According to the hospital, the patient, a native of Nilgiris, was brought to the hospital with severe back and chest pain and profuse sweating. Though she was given first aid at a local hospital her Blood Pressure stood at 220/140.

On diagnosis, it was found that she was was suffering from Acute Dissection of the aorta. A team of doctors, led by Dr. Thiagarajamurthy, performed a complex surgery that lasted for more than six hours.

“The patient was suffering from Acute Dissection of the aorta with bleeding around the heart known as pericardial effusion. The doctors also noticed severe leaks in the aortic valve. She was immediately taken for a CT scan that showed tear in the proximal portion of the aorta extending all the way up to the blood vessels in the leg. This is a grave condition and when left untreated can cause death.

Surgery was the only option to save the patient,” a press release said.

Dr Thiagarajamurthy was assisted by Dr. Arun, Dr. Kumar and Dr. Sajith and Anaesthetists Dr. Mahadevan and Dr. Menon.

The surgery involved replacing the entire ascending aorta so that blood flows only into the true lumen. In addition the aortic valve leak had to be stopped, failing which would have resulted in a heart failure. With the help of a lung machine, the functioning of the heart was stopped. Her body temperature also was also cooled up to 18 degrees.

During surgery, the aorta was found to be extensively torn and damaged. Entire ascending aorta was replaced with Dacron graft. Patients own valve was preserved and repaired. Valve regained competency after repair. Blood and blood products such as platelets and fresh frozen plasma were given. All bleeding points were arrested. She was moved to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in stable condition and subsequently discharged from hospital 10 days after surgery, the release added.