Once again a multidisciplinary team at UMHAT "St. Marina" – Varna has saved the life of a patient with a torn aorta. In this case, a 72-year-old man, who had been complaining of back pain for several days, after scanning, was directed by the doctors in Silistra to the Varna University Hospital for a life-saving procedure. He was transported by an ambulance of the Emergency Medical Care Centre – Silistra, and was immediately admitted to the Intensive Cardiology Department at the Varna University Hospital "St. Marina". A multidisciplinary team was immediately formed, which, after a series of diagnostic tests, confirmed the diagnosis of thoracic aortic dissection – a life-threatening condition in which the tearing in the layers of the aorta and the severe internal haemorrhage have to be managed as quickly as possible to save the patient's life.
The doctors decided on urgent endovascular treatment, in which the access through the femoral artery allowed for reaching the torn part of the aorta and implanting a prosthesis in a bloodless way. According to specialists, its function is to close the torn place, restore blood flow and normalise blood circulation. The team that performed the minimally invasive procedure consisted of interventional radiologists from the Centre for Interventional Radiology Assoc. Prof. Dr. Georgi Todorov, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chavdar Bachvarov and Dr. Mihael Nanev from the Diagnostic Imaging Clinic, cardiac surgeons Prof. Dr. Plamen Panayotov and Dr. Milen Slavov, a vascular surgeon Dr. Emil Yordanov, and a resuscitation team.
"The technique of endovascular prosthetics in patients with aneurysm or aortic dissection is the preferred method of treatment when it is possible", explained Assoc. Prof. Dr. Georgi Todorov and emphasized that that type of treatment in planned or emergency patients had been successfully applied for more than ten years at UMHAT "St. Marina" – Varna. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chavdar Bachvarov added that the successful outcome of those cases was a consequence of well-established teamwork. The Hospital possesses state-of-the-art equipment for diagnostics and performing high-tech interventions, as well as a well-trained team of specialists with expertise in managing complex life-threatening conditions. Endovascular prosthetics is one of the most sparing procedures, leading to rapid recovery of the patient and minimising the risk of infections.
The hospital reported that the 72-year-old Silistra patient was recovering and would be discharged soon.
More information on the case can be found in the video.
