What Seemed Like a Minor Issue Was Actually a Deadly Heart Tear: Acute Type-A Aortic Dissection

On January 26, 55-year-old Harkesh, a dedicated constable in the Haryana Police, suddenly found himself battling for his life. He arrived at the hospital with excruciating pain in both legs, which had turned cold. He was restless and in severe distress. What seemed like a vascular issue turned out to be something far more critical—a rare and life-threatening condition known as Acute Type-A Aortic Dissection. Successfully treated by Dr. Ved Prakash - Senior Consultant & Head - Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgery and Team at Sarvodaya Hospital, Sec 8, Faridabad.

What is Acute Type-A Aortic Dissection?

Aortic dissection occurs when a tear develops in the inner layer of the aorta, the body's main artery. This leads to blood flowing between the layers of the aortic wall, causing it to split. If untreated, this condition can be fatal within hours. In fact, 50-60% of patients do not survive long enough to reach the hospital. It is an extremely rare condition, affecting only 5 to 30 people per million annually. The symptoms appear suddenly and severely, often resembling a heart attack. Harkesh experienced intense chest pain radiating to his back, along with unbearable pain in both legs, signaling a rapidly worsening condition.

The Battle in the Operating Room

The medical team knew they had no time to waste. The only way to save Harkesh was through an emergency Bentall’s operation—a complex, high-risk procedure that involves replacing the aortic valve, aortic root, and ascending aorta using cardiopulmonary bypass.

A highly skilled team of 12-14 medical experts, including 3 surgeons, 2 anesthesiologists, perfusionists, nursing staff, and technicians, worked tirelessly for 8 hours to repair the fragile aortic tissue and reimplant the coronary arteries.

The Biggest Challenges

This surgery was extremely delicate due to the fragile nature of the torn aortic wall. One of the most challenging aspects was reattaching the coronary arteries while ensuring proper blood flow to the heart and the rest of the body. Any error could have led to fatal complications.

Victory Over the Odds

Against all odds, the surgery was a success. Harkesh was stabilized and monitored closely post-operation. His recovery has been smooth, and physiotherapy has been advised for his lower limb pain, which has already started improving.

A Message That Could Save Lives

Acute Type-A aortic dissection is often mistaken for other heart-related issues, leading to dangerous delays in treatment. If you or someone experiences sudden, severe chest pain that radiates to the back, accompanied by limb pain or cold extremities, seek immediate medical attention.

Harkesh’s story is a reminder that early diagnosis and timely surgery can make the difference between life and death. Thanks to the expertise and swift action of his medical team, he is now on the road to recovery, ready to resume his duties.

This was truly a race against time—and a race we won!