Leslie Caoili undergoes leg amputation following aortic dissection

Leslie Caoili, a 41-year-old strength athlete, underwent emergency surgery in San Diego after a routine cardiac exam revealed a type A aortic dissection. The condition, involving a tear in the main artery from the heart, required an urgent cardiopulmonary bypass and complete reconstruction of the aorta to save her life.

Following the procedure, Caoili suffered severe complications as her body failed to circulate blood correctly to her extremities. Within a month, her hands and feet lost blood supply, leading to tissue necrosis and the eventual amputation of her leg.