Type A dissection, Bentall, TEVAR, now a new distal dissection has anyone been through this?
I'm posting on behalf of my husband and hoping to hear from anyone who has had a similar experience.
We understand every case is different just hoping to hear from others who may have gone through something similar.
From New Zealand
Age: 50
Background:
Before all of this happened,he was fit, active, healthy, and had no significant health problems.This was all discovered during emergency surgery.
Timeline:
21 February 2026
He walked into Emergency with a Type A Aortic Dissection.
He underwent emergency open-heart surgery lasting approximately 12 hours.
During surgery, doctors discovered he had a bicuspid aortic valve.
Surgeons performed a modified Bentall procedure, including:
Mechanical aortic valve replacement
Replacement of the ascending aorta and aortic arch
Reimplantation of the coronary arteries
A stent was also implanted as part of the repair.
2 March 2026
Doctors discovered a bulge in a branch of the aorta.
He underwent a second open-chest surgery to repair an aortic aneurysm.
19 March 2026
After becoming unwell and being taken to hospital by ambulance, a CT scan confirmed a Type B Aortic Dissection in the descending aorta.
24 March 2026
He underwent TEVAR (Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair).
He also underwent a carotid-subclavian bypass.
Following this, he experienced some complications during recovery, including a femoral artery pseudoaneurysm and an infection, but gradually improved and was discharged home on 1 April.
Throughout April and May he continued recovering well. He gradually increased his walking, attended hydrotherapy, and was preparing to begin cardiac rehabilitation.
5 June 2026
He developed episodes of sharp pain similar to previous aortic pain.
His GP arranged an urgent CT scan.
The CT report stated: "Satisfactory TEVAR, however small dissection at the distal end of the TEVAR which is new, acuity uncertain."
He was admitted to hospital for monitoring and strict blood pressure control.
Current situation:
Specialists do not currently believe emergency surgery or further stenting is required.
The current plan is conservative management with close monitoring, strict blood pressure control, pain management, and repeat imaging.
He continues to experience pain, including pain in both sides of his body, and doctors had ordered further blood tests, urine tests which all come back clear.
Current medications
- Metoprolol 95 mg twice daily
- Amlodipine 10 mg daily
- Perindopril 2 mg daily (new as of latest admission )
- Warfarin
- Atorvastatin 80 mg daily
My questions:
Has anyone developed a new dissection at the distal end of a TEVAR stent?
If so, was it managed conservatively or did it eventually require another procedure?
Has anyone had a small dissection stabilise without further intervention?
Did anyone continue to experience aortic, chest, side, or flank pain despite scans showing no need for urgent surgery?
How long did it take before you felt confident things were stable again?
Thank you for taking the time to read this.