How a Torn Aorta Can Do Lethal Damage

NY Times ^ | December 20, 2010 | DENISE GRADY

[60Gunner]

Yep. Seen how they kill (and how fast someone dies) way too many times.

[StayoutdaBushesWay]

Bacterial infections and even simple things as teeth cleaning, tooth extractions, etc. can lead to valvular endocarditis, don’t know if that’s what happened to you, but as I said previously anything that involves the aortic valve should be closely monitored. The aortic valve is the most scrutinized heart structure when doing an echo exam, when a problem is found it can be life changing and as an echocardiographer it is important to determine the severity.

[CholeraJoe]

Hers was a torn pulmonary vein due to trauma. Traumatic rupture of the aorta is also common in high speed collisions, seat belts or no. 95 per cent do not survive.

[EQAndyBuzz]

He would be alive today if he went to Cuba for treatment.

[Venturer]

You beat me to it.

[CholeraJoe]

Is there an echo in here?

[bert]

If it ain’t one thing, it’s something else.

As I approach 69, there is but another mortal consideration

[panaxanax]

$640. Not counting Dr. appointments, etc.

[seoul62]

Is there not a test that checks the blood vessels in your entire body?

[scottteng]

I am sure prices would be all over the map but here in SW Fl there was an outfit advertising heavily for three tests together to completely check your circulatory system for $199 They had a semi they went location to location in no doctor you were supposed to take the results to your doc to get treated if needed. Have not seen one of their ads recently but them I have stopped watching TV.

[The Comedian]

Next in this article series: "How Decapitation Can Do Lethal Damage"

Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.

[krogers58]

If you walked into an clinic..what would this ultra sound scan of your heart cost? Cash..no insurance?

You should be able to bargain with a hospital where if you pay cash within 30 days of the procedure, you would get 15 - 25% off. Here are the charges for two different ultrasounds, neither of which is the chest ultrasound, but should give you an idea of what they cost. The hospital is Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical center in Lebanon, NH. It is a major teaching hospital. Please note that there are two charges, one for the actual ultrasound, and one for the radiologist to read the ultrasound.
Obstetric ultrasound 663 (Hospital charge) and 289 (Professional fee) for a total of $952.00

Ultrasound, pelvis, complete 483 (Hospital) and 271 (Prof. fee) for a total of 754.00

I'd imagine a chest ultrasound would be less than the obstetric, and be somewhere around the pelvis ultrasound.

I'd imagine you could get one done for about 500 - 600 cash, give or take. Hope this helps.

[Quix]

THX THX

[Bob]

All it takes is a simple ultrasound and that could save your life. They can catch it while it's still a dissection and repair it before it becomes an aneurysm.

Is this sort of problem detectable by an echo cardiogram or are you referring to a different ultrasound procedure?

[null and void]

Having just one say *oh* and instantly die in triage is seeing one too many IMHO.

I don't think I could survive your job, and am ultra grateful that you and your colleagues can and do every day.

[ctdonath2]

Bump that.

I have echocardiograms once a year. Billing to insurance charges $400-800 IIRC. If you’re not in a hurry and pay cash, shop around a bit to independent labs. Insurance and “captive audience” costs more. Takes about 30-60 minutes, painless, in-and-out.

[Arrowhead1952]

If you've been diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve in your life get screened regularly.

I have a bicuspid aortic valve and have an annual ultrasound done. I am also on BP meds to keep the aorta from expanding. It has actually gotten closer to normal the past few years.

[Republic of Texas]

That was my impression. Is there anyone who doesn’t think a torn aorta is lethal?

[Ditto]

For simple ultra sound screening of the abdominal aorta, carotids, peripheral arteries, and a check for fibrillation, this outfit charges about about $100.

They usually set up in a church or Sr. citizen center. They just to a simple ultrasound screen, not the in depth tests you would get in a hospital, but they can and have spotted problems which your doc should then follow up on with more extensive testing.

[Walkingfeather]

Yeah if you have Super sharp piercing pain from front to back of mid sternum ( that lasts and does not go away) .... make sure you are right with your savior.