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Aortic Aneurysm

Aortic Aneurysm

An aortic aneurysm is a weakening and bulging of the aorta, the main artery that carries blood away from the heart to the rest of the body. The aorta is a strong, elastic tube, but over time it can weaken due to various factors. When this happens, the aorta can bulge outward, forming an aneurysm.

There are two main types of aortic aneurysms:

  • Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA): This occurs in the part of the aorta that runs through the abdomen. It is the more common type.
  • Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA): This occurs in the part of the aorta that runs through the chest.

Aneurysms can also be classified by their shape:

  • Saccular aneurysm: This is a bulging that forms a pouch on the side of the aorta.
  • Fusiform aneurysm: This is a widening of the entire circumference of the aorta.

Symptoms

Aortic aneurysms often don’t cause any symptoms until they become large or rupture. When symptoms do occur, they can vary depending on the location and size of the aneurysm. Here are some possible symptoms:

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA):

  • Pulsating feeling in the abdomen
  • Abdominal or back pain (especially deep and constant)
  • A feeling of fullness or bloating in the abdomen
  • Loss of appetite or weight loss

Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA):

  • Chest pain (may be sudden and severe)
  • Cough (may be persistent or bloody)
  • Hoarseness
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Swelling in the face, arms, or upper body

Causes

Several factors can contribute to the development of an aortic aneurysm, including:

  • Atherosclerosis: This is a buildup of plaque in the arteries, which can weaken the aortic wall.
  • High blood pressure: This can put extra strain on the aorta and increase the risk of an aneurysm.
  • Smoking: Smoking damages the lining of the aorta and makes it more likely to weaken.
  • Family history: Having a family member with an aortic aneurysm increases your risk.
  • Connective tissue diseases: Certain connective tissue diseases, such as Marfan syndrome, can weaken the aortic wall.

Treatment

The treatment for an aortic aneurysm depends on its size, location, and whether it is causing any symptoms. There are two main approaches:

  • Monitoring: If the aneurysm is small and not causing any symptoms, your doctor may recommend monitoring it with regular imaging tests to see if it grows.
  • Surgery: If the aneurysm is large, rapidly growing, or causing symptoms, surgery may be necessary to repair or replace the weakened section of the aorta. There are two main types of surgery for aortic aneurysms,
  • Open surgical repair: This involves making a large incision in the chest or abdomen to access the aneurysm and repair or replace it with a synthetic graft.
  • Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR): This is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a catheter inserted through a groin artery to deliver a stent graft to the aneurysm site. The stent graft is a tiny mesh tube that lines the inside of the aorta and strengthens the weakened area (Click here to read more on Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR / ESVG))

Prevention

There are a number of things you can do to help prevent an aortic aneurysm:

  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Eat a healthy diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol.
  • Exercise regularly.
  • Control your blood pressure.
  • Quit smoking.
  • If you have a family history of aortic aneurysm, talk to your doctor about screening.