Aortic Dissection Kills 50% Before Hospital After Lindsey Graham Dies
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 12
Aortic Dissection Kills 50% Before Hospital After Lindsey Graham Dies
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 12
Summary
Senator Lindsey Graham died Saturday night of an aortic dissection, a tear in the aorta that doctors describe as a medical emergency with little warning.
About 50% of patients reach a hospital, and roughly half of those survive, according to heart surgeon Dr. Michael Mack, who said the condition is a leading explanation for sudden death in otherwise well patients.
The tear starts in the aorta’s inner layer, letting blood force its way between the vessel’s three layers; doctors say it is often linked to an underlying aneurysm, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis or rare genetic conditions.
Patients typically report severe chest-to-back pain, and treatment depends on location: tears beyond arteries to the brain may be repaired by catheter, while tears in the upper aorta usually require emergency open-heart surgery.