run n rate - 2018-07-25 4:27 PM

Is this in effect an aortic anurism then??? That is what my mom had, and I believe what killed John Ritter.

streakysox - 2018-07-26 10:27 PM


Don't think it is the same but may be worse. Ask BEAR. I know two people who are doing very well after brain aneurysms. One is CAUGHT YAWL's mom on here.
Still very serious.

Bear - 2018-07-27 7:40 PM


This is a little hard to explain in a way that is easily understandable, but I’ll give it a try.
It sounds to me like June had an aortic “dissection” which is not the same as a garden variety aortic aneurysm. Atherosclerosis is the underlying cause of the problem in both instances. With an aortic aneurysm, all the 3 layers of the aorta are involved in a weakening and bulging (dilation) of the aorta. Over 90% of these are in the abdomen (below the diaphragm). Think of these like a bulge in an old bicycle tire. That bulge continues to expand where the tire is weak, and eventually it bursts. That’s what happens when an abdominal aortic aneurysm “ruptures”. Most of the time that rupture leads to massive bleeding which is somewhat contained by the peritoneum, but if the aneurysm isn’t treated surgically in a very timely fashion the patient will die from hemorrhage. Ruptured aortic aneurysms carry about a 90% mortality. Some will present with pain and some “leaking”. Those are different, and if you are on the ball you can operate and save many of these. Conway Twitty died from a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. About 95% of ruptured aneurysms are in the abdomen. The rest are in the chest.

With an aortic dissection, there is atherosclerosis of the aorta, and almost always hypertension. The high blood pressure causes shearing of the inner layer aortic wall and two “channels” in the aorta. Think of a power washer on an old tree. Eventually the force of the stream can cut through the bark and make its way along the bark and the wood. The jet of water makes its way along the wood and separates the bark from the tree. The aorta itself may not be dilated, but sometimes it is. If the dissection starts in the aorta after it leaves the heart, the false channel can go both downstream and also back toward the heart. That dissection can involve the openings of the coronary arteries and the flap can occlude (partially or completely) the openings of the coronaries, just above the aortic valve. Those kinds of aortic “dissections” almost always require surgical intervention. The aortic arch has to be replaced with a graft, and the coronaries bypassed. If an aortic dissection begins further down the aorta, in the chest or abdomen, treatment is usually, initially aimed at lowering the high blood pressure. In so doing the dissection stops advancing. Eventually, surgery may or may not be required.
John Ritter died from an aortic “dissection”. Sometimes a dissection can result in weakening of the aorta and eventual rupture. I believe Ritter’s ruptured into his pericardium and that led to his rapid demise. I don’t know enough to speculate on June’s specific circumstances. I don’t even know if she had surgery.

Two big differences between a ruptured aneurysm and aortic dissection:

With an aortic aneurysm RUPTURE typically people have severe back and abdominal pain, and usually LOW blood pressure from blood loss.

With aortic DISSECTION, typically there is severe, tearing back pain, usually starting in the upper back, and moving down, and almost always the blood pressure is very elevated....unless it has already caused a heart attack, etc...

Garden variety aortic aneurysms are much more common than dissections.

Clear as mud?

jake16 - 2018-07-28 5:16 PM

 I see the breathing tube is out and she whispered her name:)

okhorselover - 2018-07-29 9:26 PM

Just saw this from June's grand daughter. Today has been a fantastic day! Grandma has opened her eyes and looked around the room! The nurses even used a lift to put her in a chair sitting up for a while. She whispered “ice cream” ?? today, however still not able to swallow.

jake16 - 2018-07-29 8:32 PM


 that's good news!!!!!continued prayers! And thanks for this update!

okhorselover - 2018-07-29 8:26 PM

Just saw this from June's grand daughter. Today has been a fantastic day! Grandma has opened her eyes and looked around the room! The nurses even used a lift to put her in a chair sitting up for a while. She whispered “ice cream” ?? today, however still not able to swallow.

Kay-DRacing. - 2018-08-02 1:00 PM

 Latest update -

"Grandma is still in the ICU and contiues to have ups and downs. She is fighting some pneumonia and she continues to be a fighter! we want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers and please continue as they are needed."