Aortic Dissection Attorneys in Pittsburgh

Skilled Medical Malpractice Lawyers Handle Cases Involving Aortic Dissection Across Western Pennsylvania

An aortic dissection is a serious medical emergency. The term refers to a tear in the inner layer of the aorta leading from the heart. Blood pours through the tear, causing the inner layer to separate from the middle layer of the aorta. If the outside layer ruptures, aortic dissection is often fatal.

Unfortunately, the condition is often misdiagnosed. The symptoms can be similar to those of a heart attack. Because heart attacks are much more common, medical providers want to rule them out, taking precious time that could mean the difference between survival and death.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys Handles Complex Cases Throughout Pittsburgh and the Surrounding Areas

The Western Pennsylvania law firm of Berger Lagnese & Paul, LLC handles complex medical malpractice cases, including those involving aortic dissection. We have the experience and resources to help you through the most complex malpractice claims.

Risk Factors for Aortic Dissection

The emergency department doctor will want to know if the patient has any of the following risk factors that can make an aortic dissection more likely:

• Conditions that weaken the aortic wall, such as Marfan’s Syndrome, Turner’s Syndrome and other connective tissue disorders
• Certain types of infections, such as syphilis and diseases that cause inflammation of the arteries such as arteritis
• Activities such as high-intensity weight lifting
• High blood pressure
• Atherosclerosis
• Aortic aneurysm
• Congenital narrowing of the aorta (coarctation)

The incidence of aortic dissection is twice as much as in women. Moreover, the condition is rare under age 40. Cocaine use has been implicated in aortic dissection because it causes a rapid increase in blood pressure.

Consequences and Complications of Aortic Dissection

A patient with an aortic dissection that remains untreated too long has a good chance of bleeding to death internally. Other consequences can include:

• Organ damage such as kidney failure
• Stroke
• Intestinal damage
• Permanent damage to the aortic valve
• Cardiac tamponade, or rupture into the lining around the heart

If you suffered one of these injuries because an aortic dissection was not diagnosed quickly enough or if a loved one died, talk to an attorney about your legal options today.

Contact the Pittsburgh Lawyers at Berger Lagnese & Paul, LLC

Our law firm handles a variety of medical malpractice cases in Pittsburgh, throughout Western Pennsylvania and around the United States. We build strong cases in pursuit of justice for our clients. Schedule your free consultation today. Remember, you will owe no attorney’s fee until we win your case.