Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm

Aortic Aneurysm: What is it and how is it treated?

The aorta is the largest artery in the body and the blood vessel that carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to all parts of the body.

The part of the aorta that passes through the chest is called the thoracic aorta, and as the aorta moves down the abdomen, it is called the abdominal aorta.

What is a thoracic aortic aneurysm?

An artery wall in the aorta When it weakens, it expands or balloons abnormally as blood is pumped, causing an aortic aneurysm.

An aneurysm can develop anywhere along the aorta.

Is a thoracic aortic aneurysm serious?

A thoracic aortic aneurysm is a serious health risk because, depending on its location and size, it can rupture or rupture, causing life-threatening internal bleeding. When detected in time, thoracic aortic aneurysm can usually be repaired with surgery or less invasive techniques.

Small aneurysms are a risk factor for:

• Aneurysm Formation of atherosclerotic plaque (fat and calcium deposits) in the area

• A clot (thrombus) may form in this area and increase the chance of stroke, increase the size of the aneurysm, press on other organs, cause pain

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• Aortic dissection, or rupture of the layers of the aorta, is a potentially fatal complication and medical emergency.

• The aneurysm can rupture and burst under stress. , because the artery wall is thin at this point. Sudden rupture of an aortic aneurysm can be life-threatening and is a medical emergency.

What causes a thoracic aortic aneurysm?

Thoracic aortic aneurysms are most often caused by atherosclerosis, a hardening of the arteries that damages the artery walls. Although your arteries are normally smooth on the inside, atherosclerosis can develop as you get older. When atherosclerosis occurs, a sticky substance called atheromatous plaque builds up on the artery walls. Over time, excess plaque causes the aorta to harden and weaken. Your risk of atherosclerosis is if:

• If you smoke

• If you have high blood pressure

• High cholesterol level If you have

• If you are overweight

• It increases if there is a family history of cardiovascular or peripheral vascular disease.

Some diseases can also weaken the layers of the aortic wall and increase the risk of thoracic aortic aneurysm:

• Marfan syndrome (genetic connective tissue disorder), Loeys–Dietz and other familial connective tissue disorders

• Other non-specific connective tissue diseases (characterized by a family history of aneurysms)

• Biscuspid aortic valve presence

• Infections

• Inflammatory diseases

Rarely, serious Trauma, such as a fall or car accident, can cause a thoracic aortic aneurysm.

The risk of developing a thoracic aortic aneurysm increases as you get older. Men are diagnosed with thoracic aortic aneurysms more often than women.

Recent research shows that a significant number of aneurysms have familial patterns or are inherited from previous generations. It is important to tell your doctor if there is a history of aortic aneurysm in your family so that the best preventive screenings can be performed.

What are the symptoms of thoracic aortic aneurysm?

Thoracic aortic aneurysms are often unnoticed, because patients rarely feel any symptoms. While only half of those with a thoracic aortic aneurysm complain of symptoms, possible warning signs include:

• Pain in the jaw, neck and back

• Chest or back pain

• Coughing, hoarseness or difficulty breathing

How is thoracic aortic aneurysm diagnosed?

Early diagnosis of thoracic aneurysm is very important for follow-up and treatment timing. The larger the thoracic aortic aneurysm or the faster it grows, the more likely it is to rupture. When the aneurysm is larger than about twice the normal diameter of a healthy aortic blood vessel, the risk of rupture increases.

Diagnosing a thoracic aneurysm is difficult because there are often no symptoms and the condition is often not diagnosed until a rupture occurs. If thoracic aortic aneurysm is suspected, consult a doctor Your doctor may order the following tests:

• Chest x-ray

• Computed tomography (CT) scan

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

• Echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart)

• Abdominal ultrasound (looking for associated abdominal aneurysms for)

• Angiography (x-ray of blood vessels)

How is thoracic aortic aneurysm treated?

Aneurysm treatment varies depending on its size, location, and your general health.

If the thoracic aortic aneurysm is small and does not cause any symptoms, your doctor may recommend waiting under close monitoring. By closely monitoring your condition with CT or MRI scans every 6-12 months, changes in the diameter of the aneurysm are monitored. If you have high blood pressure, treatments are arranged accordingly. Additionally, he or she may prescribe cholesterol-lowering medication.

Surgical repair

The aortic aneurysm is surgically removed and replaced with a graft.

Thoracic aneurysm. If the aortic aneurysm is large or causing symptoms, you will need immediate treatment to prevent rupture from occurring. The weakened portion of the cup can be surgically removed and replaced with a graft of artificial material. If the aneurysm is close to the aortic valve (the valve that regulates blood flow from the heart into the aorta), valve replacement may also be recommended during the procedure.

Surgical repair of an aneurysm is complex and requires an experienced thoracic surgical team. However, neglecting the aneurysm poses a higher risk. Repair of a thoracic aneurysm may require open chest surgery, general anesthesia, and a hospital stay of at least five days.

Endovascular Repair

Instead of an open aneurysm repair, your surgeon will perform endovascular repair. may consider a newer procedure called aneurysm repair (EVAR, TEVAR). Endovascular means the surgery is done in your aorta using thin, long tubes called catheters. By entering through small incisions in the groin, catheters are used to guide and deliver a stent graft through blood vessels to the aneurysm site. Then stent graft, blood flow It is placed on the diseased segment of the aorta to “release” the aorta like a cuff to move blood away from the aneurysm.

This endovascular approach is currently used to treat abdominal and descending thoracic aneurysms and is being considered as an option for thoracoabdominal and archaneurysms.

 

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