Aortic dissection happens when the wall of the aorta, the main artery leaving your heart, develops a tear. That tear then spreads along the aorta. This can be very dangerous because it can either cause the aorta to burst, or it can block blood from getting to important parts of your body. Diagnosing aortic dissection quickly and correctly can save lives.
Even though medical professionals try to achieve the best possible results for patients they sometimes make mistakes. When it comes to aortic dissection, a missed or delayed diagnosis can have devastating consequences.
Through our work we have supported many families who lost a loved one because of aortic dissection or other aortic conditions. In some cases what happened could have been prevented and was linked to a medical error. In others there was nothing that could have been done differently that would have prevented the tragic loss.
We strongly believe that the more people (including healthcare professionals) that are aware of aortic dissection, its symptoms and treatment options the better. An increased awareness is likely to lead to better outcomes. We want to share information about the important work done by the healthcare sector and charities in funding research to help clinicians better understand the condition and treat patients.
The Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust is a charity that helps people dealing with aortic dissection. They provide advice and support to patients, their loved ones and medical professionals. They understand the challenges patients and their families face and offer support to help them cope. There’s even an online chat where people can share their experience and get peer support.
The charity also supports research to find better ways to diagnose, treat, and prevent aortic dissection. They also campaign to raise awareness of the condition and inform the government about better treatment options. Their website is a great place to find information, whether you’re a patient, a healthcare worker, or just want to help.
How we can help?
At Enable Law we have significant experience supporting patients and families that have lost a loved one because of a preventable error. If you believe that something may have gone wrong in your or your loved one’s care we can advise you. We will listen to your concerns and help you get answers to what may have happened. All conversations are strictly confidential and free of charge. No information will be shared with your medical team if you decide you don’t want to pursue a claim. To have a free, confidential discussion with Jackie Linehan or a member of our team call us on 0800 044 8488 or fill in our contact form here telling us when would be best for us to contact you.
