Asia University Hospital treats doctor for penetrating aortic ulcer

An ear, nose, and throat specialist successfully treated a life-threatening condition after experiencing sudden chest pain while driving near the Nantou interchange. The patient, a physician, initially attempted to use sublingual medication, but when the pain intensified and spread from his left to his right chest, he sought emergency care at Asia University Hospital.

Medical imaging via CT scan revealed a penetrating aortic ulcer (PUA) in the descending aorta. Dr. Liu Yin-zuo, director of cardiac surgery, explained that PUA is a condition often caused by atherosclerosis, where plaques erode through the inner layer of the aorta. If left untreated, the condition can lead to aortic dissection, pseudoaneurysms, or fatal hemorrhaging.

Surgeons performed a Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR), inserting a stent through the femoral artery to isolate the ulcer and prevent further damage. The procedure lasted approximately ninety minutes, and the patient reported that the pain vanished completely following the surgery. Doctors advise patients experiencing sudden chest or back pain, shortness of breath, or fainting to seek immediate medical attention.