An aortic aneurysm is a medical condition in which there is an abnormal bulge in the wall of the aorta.
Definition
An aortic aneurysm is a medical condition in which there is an abnormal bulge in the wall of the aorta. It is one of the main blood vessels that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
Aortic aneurysms can occur in any part of the aorta and can be tubular or round in shape. Aortic aneurysms include:
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm, which occurs in the part of the aorta that passes through the abdomen.
- Thoracic aortic aneurysm, which occurs in the part of the aorta that passes through the chest cavity.
In some cases, patients may experience an abdominal aortic aneurysm and a thoracic aortic aneurysm at the same time. Having an aortic aneurysm can increase a person’s risk for an aortic dissection.
Aortic dissection occurs when there is a tear in the inner lining of the aortic wall. This causes one or more layers of the aortic wall to separate, which in turn weakens the aortic wall. Accroding to Nucleus Medical Media aortic Aneurysm and Aortic Dissection
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Having an aortic aneurysm also increases the risk of rupture of the aneurysm.
Reason
An aortic aneurysm can be caused by anything that causes weakness of the aortic wall. In healthy adults, the aortic wall is generally strong and can stretch to adapt to normal changes in blood flow. However, with age, the walls of the aorta can become weaker as a result of high blood pressure, smoking, or high cholesterol levels.
The weak points of the aortic wall may begin to bulge outward, and as the bulge increases in size, the risk of rupture also increases. When an aneurysm ruptures, massive internal bleeding may occur, which requires immediate treatment.
Symptoms
In its early stages, an aortic aneurysm may show no signs or symptoms. As the aneurysm becomes larger, it can cause abdominal, chest, or back pain. However, most aneurysms are not diagnosed until a visit to the doctor.
In contrast, a ruptured aneurysm is a medical emergency with fairly noticeable signs and symptoms, including:
- Sudden and intense pain in the abdomen or back
- headache _
- Drowning
- Blood pressure drop
- Increased pulse rate
- Hard to breathe
- Loss of consciousness
Diagnosis
Thoracic aortic aneurysms are usually diagnosed during a routine medical examination. Diagnostic tests that can be performed to evaluate the presence of a thoracic aortic aneurysm are:
- X-ray examination
- Echocardiogram
- Computerized tomography (CT)
- Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), which is an examination that uses a magnetic field to make an image of the blood vessels
Abdominal aortic aneurysms can also be found during routine health checks. Diagnostic tests that can be performed to evaluate the presence of an abdominal aortic aneurysm are:
- Ultrasonography (USG) abdomen
- X-ray examination
- Echocardiogram
- Computerized tomography (CT)
- Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)
Handling
In the early stages, aortic aneurysms do not always require treatment. If the size of the aneurysm is small, the doctor will monitor it to evaluate for changes. If an aneurysm poses a health risk, your doctor may recommend surgery to correct it before it ruptures.
There are two types of corrective surgery that can generally be performed on aneurysms, namely open surgery and endovascular surgery.
Open surgery involves an incision in the chest or abdomen, removing the damaged part of the aorta, and replacing it with a graft. The postoperative recovery period is generally a few weeks.
Endovascular surgery or endovascular surgery uses a minimally invasive method, in which a small catheter is inserted through the femoral artery in the thigh and directed into the damaged part of the aorta. Through this, a small graft is inserted and placed over the damaged part of the aorta, in order to strengthen the weak aortic wall to prevent rupture.
Because this surgical procedure is minimally invasive, the recovery period is generally a few days. Doctors can also prescribe medication to control blood pressure and other conditions that make the aneurysm worse.
Prevention
Screening tests may be recommended for people over the age of 60, especially those with a history of smoking or a family history of aneurysms.
There is nothing specific that can be done to prevent an aortic aneurysm, but lifestyle changes can be made to improve overall heart health and reduce the risk of developing an aneurysm.
Some steps that can be implemented are:
- Keeping blood pressure in a good range
- Keeping cholesterol levels stable
- Do aerobic exercise regularly
- Maintain body weight to stay within the normal range according to body mass index (BMI)
- Avoid smoking
- Limiting the intake of sugar, salt, and fatty foods