aortic dissection symptoms

[dianael]

I am a 50 year old woman with Marfans Syndrome who suffered a Type B aortic dissection on May 29 2008 which was treated with blood pressure medication. I was also put on cholesterol medication. A follow up exam some 6 weeks later showed that the dissection had healed but there was a bump in my aorta somewhere below the site of the dissection which was probably an aneurysm. Although I have not yet returned to work as a teacher I was planning to do so in the next few weeks. I had been feeling much better and was starting to do more around the house. Last night I noticed some discomfort in my upper back near the right shoulder blade. It felt like I was lying or leaning on something. This morning I have woken with a throbbing pain in the same area and my blood pressure which I check at home has been higher than usual. I am reluctant to go to the hospital because I don't want to over-react and because this pain is different to the excruciating pain I experienced when I had the dissection. I have also suffered two pulmonary embolisms in the past two years and recently had a bout of pleurisy.

[nickppatel]

You also need to be aware of this very recent study:

http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/circj/advpub/0/0809250096/_pdf

It is particularly relevant to your situation as a Type B dissection sufferer.  ACEi drugs, taken at high enough dosages, are showing promise to people in your shoes.  In this study, people taking ACEis after a Type B stabilized dissection had a 95% event free survival rate after 5 years ( I think 5 years) compared to the control group, which was around 64%.  That is a big deal. I would discuss this with your cardiologist.

As far as the recent pain, get it CHECKED OUT NOW!!!!

[Douglas Bogart, MD]

You need to get these symptoms evaluated for sure.  Talk with you cardiologist and or surgeon.

[BigBirdinAL]

Please...do not watst time by coming to a board such as this to ask for the symptoms of something that could be potentially life threatning.

If you have the least bit of suspicion that you may have an aneurysm that is presenting any symptoms, go straight to your local emergency department!

As I am sure you are aware, a dissecting or ruptured aneurysm can lead to death, and it can happen quickly!  Often  a presenting symptom of an aneurysm can be back pain, depending on the location of the weakened  vessel.  Pulmonary embolisms can also present with back pain.

With your history, peace of mind alone would be worth a visit to the Emergency Department.  There is no way to provide you with any reassurance that you do not
have an aneurysm or pulmnary embolism without adequate evaluation by medical professionals and that CAN NOT happen via an on line message board.

Don't take chances.