On Friday, 9 September 2022, the South and North London ODNs with clinical leads, Mr Michael Sabetai, Mr Max Baghai and Professor Aung Oo, held the first Pan London Aortic Dissection Event. Forty-five delegates attended the event, including:
- Cardiac surgeons
- Vascular surgeons
- Interventional radiologists
- Representatives from NHS England
- The Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust
- Patients and their family members, supported by Aortic Dissection Awareness UK
The NHS England Cardiac Pathways Improvement Programme (CPIP, login required for FutureNHS) published an Acute Aortic Dissection (AAD) Toolkit in 2021 (login required for FutureNHS), which set out seven key principles to improve care for emergency acute aortic dissection patients. The aortic dissection event was arranged as a forum for initial pan London conversations, supported by important partners and relevant data, to implement the toolkit and design strategies or potential changes for the future of aortic dissection services in London.
Presentations included:
- Gareth Owens, Chair, Aortic Dissection Awareness – how patients would design an acute aortic dissection service
- Catherine Fowler, Trustee, The Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust – how the organisation can support NHS trusts in improving diagnosis, increasing survival and reducing disability due to aortic dissection
- Mr Graham Cooper, Cardiothoracic Surgeon and National Clinical Advisor for Aortic Dissection – NHS England Aortic Dissection Toolkit, national support, and structures for networks implementing the toolkit.
Mr Michael Sabetai and Professor Aung Oo delivered presentations covering current aortic dissection services in London, including discussion of available service data, and presented a proposed new pathway for patients with suspected aortic dissections. The group discussed the proposed new pathway and shared their comments and queries. The conversation was positive and the group expressed their support for working to improve aortic dissection care.
The team will arrange a further event for December 2022. Invitees will receive event details in due course.
