WHAT THIS SITE IS ABOUT
This site is to provide information about an operation for people who have an enlarged and possibly weak aorta. This is often referred to as aortic dilation or having a dilated aorta.
By using computer aided design it is now possible to have a made-to-measure operation.
WHO THIS SITE IS FOR
There are no restrictions.
Anyone and everyone is welcome to read it, learn from it, tell us what more you need to know and to tell us what more we should provide.
It is particularly designed to provide a shared source of information for patients and health professionals so that you are know that you are using the same language and have the same understanding of what this new idea is all about.
So if you are
- a patient and think this might apply to you,
- involved in health care and wonder what this is all about,
we hope to provide information in plain language that can be understood by the public and professionals.
FIRST TO EXPLAIN WHAT THOSE WORDS MEAN:
THE AORTA
- The aorta is the main pipe that carries blood out of the heart to supply the whole of the body.
- The aorta is a pipe about 3cm across.
- If you think of the water main coming into your house from which the plumber puts branches that go to the sink, the shower, the bath, and to each tap, the aorta does the same job giving off a branch to each part of the body.
THE AORTIC ROOT
- The aortic root is the very beginning of that pipe where it is attached and “takes root” from the heart.
AORTIC ROOT SUPPORT
- In some people this blood vessel is weak and, with no more than normal blood pressure, can give way.
- The “support” is designed to prevent that.
EXTERNAL AORTIC ROOT SUPPORT
- The support is “external” in the sense that it is positioned around the outer surface of the pipe without the need to cut into it.
THE MOST LIKELY REASONS TO BE INTERESTED IN THIS SITE
You are most likely to be interested in this site if you have a connective tissue disorder such as Marfan syndrome or a related disorder such as Loeys-Dietz syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. People with these conditions may have a particular pattern of widening of the aortic root, sometimes referred to as a dilated aorta or aortic dilation. This website is particularly relevant if you have a dilated aorta or aortic dilation or know someone who has.
