Kolkata : With growing global recognition of the aorta as a distinct and critical organ, the medical community is calling for heightened public and clinical attention on aortic health. Doctors at Narayana RN Tagore Hospital, Mukundapur, have reported a steady increase in patients presenting with complex and super-complex aortic diseases, highlighting the urgent need for early diagnosis, awareness and specialised care.
The aorta, the body’s largest artery, is responsible for supplying oxygen-rich blood to all major organs. Advances in medical science have led to its reclassification as a separate organ system, given the complexity of diseases affecting it and the highly specialised expertise required for treatment. Conditions such as aortic aneurysms, dissections, aortic arch diseases and thoraco-abdominal aortic pathologies demand precise diagnosis, advanced imaging and coordinated multidisciplinary management.
One of the major challenges in managing aortic disease is delayed or incorrect diagnosis. Symptoms often closely resemble those of a heart attack—most commonly sudden chest pain—leading to misdiagnosis. Doctors at Narayana RN Tagore Hospital estimate that nearly 30 per cent of aortic cases are initially mistaken for cardiac emergencies. Unlike heart attacks, however, acute aortic events can progress rapidly, carrying a significantly high risk of death within the first 24 hours if not treated promptly.
Over the past few years, the hospital has seen patients travelling from across Eastern India, including Odisha (Bhubaneswar), Mizoram, Manipur, and other states, as well as from neighbouring countries such as Bhutan, seeking evaluation and treatment for advanced aortic conditions. Many cases involve extensive disease or emergency presentations, requiring specialised infrastructure, rapid imaging and experienced multidisciplinary teams.
Dr. Atanu Saha, Senior Consultant – Cardiac Surgery at Narayana RN Tagore Hospital and lead of the aortic surgery programme, said,
“Aortic diseases are often silent or misunderstood until they become life-threatening emergencies. The overlap of symptoms with heart attacks frequently results in delayed diagnosis. Early use of CT scans and echocardiography (ECHO) in patients presenting with chest pain can help distinguish aortic conditions from cardiac causes and guide timely treatment. Self-medication or delaying medical attention in such situations can be extremely dangerous.”
He added that while aortic disease has traditionally been associated with older age groups, an increasing number of patients in their 30s and 40s are now being diagnosed.
“Tall individuals, patients with congenital aortic valve defects, uncontrolled hypertension, smokers and women during pregnancy are at higher risk. It is also important to dispel the misconception that pacemaker patients are prone to aortic disease—they are not,” Dr. Saha clarified.
Dr. Shuvro H. Roy Choudhury, Director & Clinical Lead – Interventional & Endovascular Radiology, emphasised the importance of teamwork in managing these conditions.
“Complex aortic disease requires a truly multidisciplinary approach. Cardiac surgeons, vascular specialists, interventional teams and imaging experts work together to determine the safest and most effective treatment for each patient. Supported by advanced CT imaging, catheterisation labs and open surgical facilities, this integrated model allows for accurate diagnosis and improved outcomes, even in high-risk cases.”
He also highlighted the availability of easy-to-access outpatient ultrasound-based screening at the hospital’s vascular lab, enabling early detection of aortic and other vascular diseases.
Dr. Lalit Kapoor, Senior Consultant – Cardiac Surgery, described aortic surgery as a highly specialised field.
“Aortic surgery is a super-super-speciality domain where cardiac surgeons require additional expertise. Optimal outcomes depend on close coordination between cardiac surgeons, vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists. Patients with critical aortic disease cannot afford to move between hospitals. They need a destination centre equipped with comprehensive facilities and a synchronised team, which we have at Narayana RN Tagore Hospital.”
Narayana RN Tagore Hospital was the first centre in the region to systematically introduce advanced aortic surgical procedures, including frozen elephant trunk surgeries, complex fenestration and chimney procedures. It now handles one of the highest volumes of complex aortic cases in Eastern India, with case numbers rising year after year.
Abhijit C.P., Director & Cluster Head – Kolkata and Corporate Growth Initiative, Narayana Health (East), said,
“The rising number of advanced aortic cases underscores the need for stronger awareness, timely diagnosis and appropriate referral. Focused attention on aortic health can significantly improve outcomes in these otherwise life-threatening conditions.”
Echoing this, R. Venkatesh, Group COO, Narayana Health, added,
“Aortic diseases remain under-recognised despite their severity. It is crucial for both clinicians and the public to understand that not all chest pain is cardiac in origin. Early imaging and correct diagnosis can make the difference between life and death.”
Doctors advise the public to seek immediate medical attention if they experience warning signs such as sudden chest or back pain, abdominal pain, unexplained breathlessness or uncontrolled blood pressure. Structured screening of high-risk individuals and early imaging-based evaluation, experts say, can play a decisive role in improving survival and long-term outcomes.
