Wang, in his 40s, experienced a life-threatening aortic dissection following a heated argument with his wife, which caused his blood pressure to surge. Returning home after drinking with friends, Wang found his wife scolding their child over unsatisfactory test results. He defended the child, sparking an argument. At the height of the dispute, he suddenly felt a tearing pain in his chest, broke into a sweat, and his left foot went numb. His family quickly called an ambulance, taking him to a local hospital. Tests revealed Wang's blood pressure had surged above 200 mmHg, and a CTA scan confirmed the severe aortic dissection, according to The Paper on 6/1.

Wang had a history of high blood pressure but inconsistently took medication, leading to poorly controlled readings. After being transferred to Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Doctor Lu Weiqin, Deputy Head of Vascular Surgery, reported that Wang's aorta was torn from the left subclavian artery down to the iliac artery, measuring nearly 40 cm. This extensive tear affected branch blood vessels supplying vital organs like the liver, spleen, stomach, kidneys, and lower limbs. Without immediate surgery, there was a risk of complete organ necrosis due to blood deprivation.

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The hospital activated a "green channel" priority, allowing the team of Professor Jiang Jinsong and Doctor Lu Weiqin to perform emergency surgery. The team used a minimally invasive endovascular intervention to precisely insert a stent graft at the site of the aortic injury. This procedure covered the tear, restored blood flow, and saved Wang's life. Following the surgery, his chest pain subsided, and sensation in his leg gradually recovered.

Doctor Lu Weiqin explained that such an extensive aortic dissection, "if not treated promptly, could lead to massive hemorrhage, ischemia, or even death due to organ blood supply cessation or vessel rupture at any moment." He highlighted that minimally invasive intervention can quickly seal the tear with minimal damage, making it particularly suitable for patients with acute and extensive type B aortic dissection, like Wang's case.

Professor Jiang Jinsong further clarified that the aorta is the largest blood vessel in the human body, directly connected to the heart and subjected to high pressure. Aortic dissection occurs when the inner lining of the vessel wall tears, allowing blood to surge into the middle layer of the vessel wall, tearing it apart and creating "two lumens: a true lumen and a false lumen." Once the outer membrane can no longer withstand the pressure and ruptures, blood will gush out, leading to a high mortality rate.

High blood pressure is the leading cause of aortic dissection, according to Professor Jiang. When blood pressure is uncontrolled, emotional agitation, overexertion, or sudden strenuous activity act like "stepping on the gas" for an already overloaded blood vessel, easily leading to a tear in the vessel wall.

In winter, increased social gatherings often lead to alcohol abuse, late nights, and strong emotional fluctuations, which can cause blood pressure to surge and result in dangerous vascular events. To prevent this, experts advise people, especially those with high blood pressure, to adhere to their doctor's medication instructions and not stop taking medicine independently to maintain stable and safe blood pressure.

Doctor Jiang Jinsong reminded everyone to maintain a healthy lifestyle through balanced eating, regular exercise, adequate rest, avoiding late nights, and effectively managing weight, blood pressure, and blood lipid levels. He also advised avoiding excessive emotional fluctuations, striving to maintain a calm mindset, drinking alcohol in moderation, and not overeating at parties. If sudden severe pain occurs in the chest or back, or if one experiences chest tightness, immediate emergency medical attention is necessary.

Binh Minh (According to The Paper)