Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center

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What is Aortic Dissection?

(Click image to enlarge)

Aortic dissection is a condition in which there is bleeding into and along the wall of the aorta (the major artery from the heart). This most often occurs because of a tear or damage to the inner wall of the artery. Although aortic dissection can affect anybody, it is most often seen in men 40 to 70 years old. Symptoms usually begin suddenly and require prompt medical attention.

Find out about the causes and symptoms of Aortic Dissection.

Learn more

Emergency Care

Each year 25,000 Americans die from acute aortic dissections. It is a condition that needs immediate and accurate attention. For every hour a dissection is left untreated, mortality increases 1 to 2 percent. As leaders in high-risk cardiac care, the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center has created a treatment center that provides enhanced services and improved quality to patients with this devastating condition.

Through a collaborative effort between The Methodist Hospital Emergency Department physicians, radiologists, anesthesiologists and cardiovascular surgeons, we can provide 24-hour access to diagnosing, assessing and treating patients with aortic dissections. Since many patients never make it to the operating room we have created this new treatment center to focus on rapid transportation, rapid diagnosis and rapid introduction of therapy for patients with acute aortic syndromes.

One of the most common obstacles in treatment is proper diagnosis. Acute aortic syndromes can be difficult to identify and improper treatment can be deadly. At the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, we have the equipment, the protocol, and most importantly, the experience in diagnosing and treating high-risk cardiac conditions such as these. "These are some of the most complex medical problems out there, and Methodist has the resources and team approach to be able to handle them properly," says Dr. Alan B. Lumsden, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, and team leader for the Acute Aortic Treatment Center.

The most reliable way to confirm an acute aortic dissection is to have a radiologist or cardiologist examine a CT scan of the patient's chest. Patients with symptoms of aortic dissection will be assessed in the emergency room by the ED physicians and will be immediately sent for a CT scan. At the same time, a surgical team including a cardiothoracic surgeon will be called to the hospital. The surgical team will assess the best medical or surgical method to treat the patient and send the patient to the appropriate physician for treatment.

Medical transports, ER physicians and emergency response teams can activate the team at the Acute Aortic Treatment Center by calling the dedicated, toll-free phone number 877-478-AATC (2282).

For non-emergency questions about AATC, please contact us at aatc@tmhs.org or call 713-DEBAKEY (332-2539).