Aortic emergencies are life-threatening conditions that affect the aorta, the body’s largest blood vessel. They require immediate medical attention. There are 2 types of aortic emergencies that can lead to death if emergency practitioners do not recognise the severity of the patient’s condition, Aortic Dissection (AD) and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Rupture (AAA).
What is Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm?
Abdominal aortic aneurysm is a swelling in the aorta, the artery that carries blood from the heart to the stomach. AAAs often have no symptoms, and most do not cause problems. However, they carry a serious risk because they could burst which is a life threatening emergency.
Most AAAs are discovered by accident when scanning for other conditions. Once noted they should be monitored regularly to ensure that they remain at a safe size. If the swelling starts to grow quickly or is 5.5cm or bigger surgery may be recommended.
Ben’s story
Ben had an AAA which was diagnosed and needed surgery. He underwent a successful repair and then annual regular monitoring. During that monitoring imaging noted a defect in the repair but this was not acted upon when first noted in 2019. When reviewed again at the start of the Covid pandemic, the defect had grown. At this point Ben should have been given an emergency repair but there was concern about the risk of surgery due to Covid. He was reassured that all was well and was discharged home without being advised about the need for surgery. Two months later he experienced sudden pain and attended A&E. Because he was reassured about his AAA he did not link the pain he was experienced to it and did not tell the Emergency practitioners about it. As a result he was not scanned but discharged home where he died only a few hours later of a rupture to his AAA.
Had Ben been told about the increased risk posed by his AAA and potential need for a surgery he would have been more alert to symptoms indicating that he was in a high risk of a rupture. That could have saved his life as he would have alerted the emergency clinicians about it and they would have followed standard procedure doing the needed scans to diagnose his condition and perform the needed surgery. Likewise, the emergency practitioners that treated him should have been more alert to his symptoms possibly being a sign of an AAA.
In fact, back in 2016 the Royal College of Emergency Medicine issued a Safety Alert for abdominal pain highlighting the need to check for an AAA because of the likelihood of it being missed as a life threating condition. The Safety Alert noted that older patients with abdominal pain are more likely to die from an AAA and as such this group require more investigations. Emergency practitioners are advised to be aware of the typical presentation of an AAA and to undertake emergency imaging to rule it out in those over 60.
As Ben fell into this higher risk group, those treating him should have investigated for AAA even without knowing his medical history.
How can we help?
If you or a loved one have concerns about the treatment you are receiving for an AAA or have concerns that you may suffer from it but have not been diagnosed it is important to tell your doctors immediately and ask them to perform the needed scans to rule it out. AAA is a treatable condition but can become fatal if not treated quickly.
At Enable Law we have experienced medical negligence solicitors that have supported patients and their families who have suffered additional injury or lost a loved one because of a delayed or missed diagnosis of an AAA. If you have concerns about the care you or your loved one received a member of our expert team can help. Give us a free no obligation call on 0800 044 8488 or fill in our contact form so we can call you back at a time convenient for you.
Names have been changed in some respects to protect anonymity and confidentiality of those concerned.
