What is aortic aneurysm?
Aortic aneurysm refers to a progressive and permanent anomalous dilatation of a part of the aorta, leading to its weakening and, in some cases, even rupture. The aneurysm can occur with the same dynamics both in the abdominal tract (abdominal aortic aneurysm) and in the thoracic tract (thoracic aortic aneurysm): the part of the aorta affected by the aneurysm dilates, weakening the wall and causing an increase in blood pressure that can lead to rupture.
The aneurysm has no symptoms until it reaches a large size or even ruptures.
Prognosis of the disease
Anyone suffering from aortic aneurysm has a life-threatening condition because the aorta could rupture suddenly or because it can cause an embolus to form, resulting in a cardiovascular accident or heart attack.
Symptoms of aortic aneurysm
An aneurysm usually has no symptoms until it reaches a large size or even ruptures. In these cases, the main symptoms that may occur are difficulty breathing and swallowing food, changes in voice pitch, back and chest pain, and a drop in blood pressure. If the aneurysm is not large enough to rupture, it can be diagnosed beforehand during an abdominal ultrasound (in the case of an abdominal aneurysm) or an electrocardiogram (in the case of a thoracic aneurysm).
Diagnosis of aortic aneurysm
For the diagnosis of aortic aneurysm, in addition to the objective analysis, it is useful to perform the following tests:
- Abdominal ultrasound
- Echocardiogram
- Thoracic-abdominal CT scan
What are the causes of aortic aneurysm?
The main causes of the formation of an aneurysm are:
- Aging
- Hypertension
- Atherosclerosis
- Smoking
- Aortitis
- Genetic connective tissue diseases
Can it be prevented?
To prevent aortic aneurysm, it is recommended not to smoke and to maintain an adequate blood pressure and cholesterol level.
Treatments for an aortic aneurysm
If the aneurysm is small, periodic monitoring of the evolution and treatment including medication and a healthy lifestyle are recommended. When the aneurysm is large, traditional surgery (resection of the dilated aortic tract and replacement with a synthetic graft) or endovascular surgery (insertion of a metallic prosthesis that reinforces the weakened walls) should be used.
Which specialist to contact?
In case of aortic aneurysm, consult an expert in cardiac surgery, cardiology, vascular surgery and internal medicine.