Aortic Dissection and Marfan Syndrome: College Student Survives Emergency Open Heart Surgery

A college student thought he had heartburn, but it turned out to be a life-threatening aortic dissection caused by undiagnosed Marfan syndrome. In this episode of All Things Heart, The University of Kansas Health System shares the story of Nicholas Counts, who collapsed just weeks before graduating from KU and woke up in the hospital after emergency open heart surgery. Nicholas joins cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Tyler Zorn, emergency physician Dr. Brandon Ricke, and cardiologist Dr. Elizabeth Gustello who helped get him air-lifted to The University of Kansas Health System for surgery to repair his aorta. The conversation covers aortic dissection symptoms, how to tell the difference between heartburn and a serious heart emergency, what happens during aortic dissection surgery, and why genetic testing can be important after a rare cardiac event. Doctors also explain how Marfan syndrome affects connective tissue and why some people may not show the typical outward signs.