The aorta - is the largest artery in the body. Through her, the blood goes from heart to all organs and tissues. Coming from the heart, the aorta passes through the chest, where it is known as thoracic. Through this section of the aorta carry blood to the tissues and organs of the chest. Next, the aorta passes through the aperture, where it is called the abdomen. At the bottom of the abdominal aorta divides into two branches - the iliac arteries responsible for blood flow to the lower abdomen, legs and genital organs.
Special saccular enlargement of the abdominal aorta wall, which is due to thinning of its walls, called an aneurysm of the thoracic aorta. Approximately 25% of the aneurysm is located in the thoracic region. The fact that quite a powerful blood pressure on a weakened aortic wall, it appears certain ballonoobraznoe expansion of its site. The normal diameter of the aorta is 2 cm, however, at its aortic aneurysm diameter can be stretched to dangerous proportions. The danger of any aneurysm of the aorta is that it can happen bundle or even rupture, causing massive internal bleeding and death.
A special type of aneurysm of the thoracic aorta - the so-called dissecting aortic aneurysm. This type of aneurysm is usually associated with high blood pressure. Aortic dissection can propagate through the entire aorta, thereby blocking the blood flow to the legs, arms, kidneys, brain and spinal cord and other areas.
The danger of any aneurysm of the aorta is that it can happen bundle or even rupture, causing massive internal bleeding and death.
In addition, the aneurysm may promote the formation of blood clots in the blood. These clots rushing blood flow to organs and can cause blockage of blood vessels, resulting in significant pain and disruption to the flow in the extremities and necrosis.
Sometimes an aneurysm can occur in both parts of the aorta. Only 20-30% of hospitalized patients with aneurysms of the thoracic aorta survive. This again points to is the importance of early treatment of aortic aneurysms.
What are the symptoms of an aneurysm of the thoracic aorta?
Only half of patients with aneurysms of the thoracic aorta observed any symptoms. Sometimes the patient may feel nothing at all. Severity of symptoms depends on the location of the aneurysm, its size, the presence of the bundle. Pain in the jaw, neck and upper back Chest pain or back pain Cough, hoarseness, shortness of breath
With significant amounts aneurysm may compress the heart valves, leading to the development of congestive heart failure. Symptoms of separation of the aneurysm of the thoracic aorta can occur suddenly. For example, a patient can feel the strongest burning pain in the chest or back. Rarely, a patient may not notice any symptoms.
It is very important at the first sign of an aneurysm of the thoracic aorta immediately seek medical attention.
The causes of thoracic aortic aneurysms
Researchers believe the main cause of this disease atherosclerosis. Normally, the inner wall of arteries and aorta smooth and level. In atherosclerosis on the surface appear growths - the atherosclerotic plaque. They are composed of cholesterol, calcium and fibrous tissue. Over time, this process leads to narrowing of the lumen of the artery and the aorta, and ultimately to the loss of their elasticity and the weakness of the wall.
Other risk factors for aortic aneurysms:
Obesity
The presence of a direct relative (mother, brother) who are suffering from aortic aneurysm
High blood pressure
Smoking
In certain disease states and risk to the inner wall of the aorta, which leads to the development of aneurysms:
Marfan syndrome (a particular connective tissue disease)
Syphilis
Tuberculosis
Less commonly, the cause of an aneurysm of the thoracic aorta may be trauma, such as falling or rapid deceleration.
The risk of aortic aneurysm increases with age. Aortic aneurysm often suffer from men. The larger the aneurysm, the faster it grows and the higher the probability of rupture. The risk of rupture increases as the size of the aneurysm is twice the normal diameter of the aorta.
The necessary examination in aneurysm of the thoracic aorta
Most often aortic aneurysm is found during any study procedures the patient, such as ultrasound. If the doctor suspects you have the presence of an aortic aneurysm, it may recommend:
Chest X-ray
An ultrasound of the heart (sonography)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Computed tomography
Angiography
How is an aneurysm of the thoracic aorta?
If the size of an aortic aneurysm or small it does not cause trouble, your doctor may recommend a so-called watchful waiting, which means that every 6 months you will be a survey to identify any changes in the size of the aneurysm. To do so regularly or ultrasound, or computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Tomography - a technique of X-ray study of layered tissues and organs. It allows the physician to control the diameter of the aneurysm. This method is applied in aneurysms with a diameter of less than 5 cm If in addition, have you suffer from high blood pressure, the doctor may prescribe drugs that reduce it, thereby reducing blood pressure on the weakened aortic wall. If you smoke, you should quit smoking. By itself, the aneurysm is not going anywhere. It is therefore very important to always consult with your doctor as an aneurysm can eventually reach a dangerous size, which is fraught with complications.
Treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysms depends on the location of, size, and the disease that caused the aneurysm. For example, patients with Marfan syndrome should be treated earlier, in contrast to patients with aneurysms of the same, but without the Marfan syndrome. Today, there are two types of treatment of aneurysms: open and endovascular method.
Open surgery
The method of open surgery is the surgeon opens the chest, allocates land aortic aneurysm struck and replaces it with a synthetic graft in the shape of the tube. Often, an aneurysm of the thoracic aorta combined with heart disease. With such complex types of lesions of the aorta and heart valve surgery is performed and the heart, depending on the situation.
After surgery, the patient is in hospital for 6-7 days. In the case of complex aneurysms or in the presence of concomitant diseases of the heart, lungs or kidneys, the patient may take 2 to 3 months for rehabilitation.
Endovascular intervention
A more modern method of treatment of aneurysms of the aorta (the aorta and not only) in the form of endovascular surgery, as stenting. The term "endovascular" means that the operation is carried out within the vessel using a special catheter that is inserted into the lumen of the vessel. This type of operation is minimally invasive. This means that for an operation the surgeon is required to make only a small incision in the inguinal folds, through which the catheter. During the operation, X-ray image is shot in real time, allowing the surgeon to control the process of the catheter in the vessel. Next, the surgeon enters the lumen of the aorta a special device - stent. This is a cylindrical wire frame, which strengthens the aortic wall. Rehabilitation after surgery of this kind only 2 - 3 days. However, after an operation requires a fairly frequent radiological monitoring of the operation and set the stent. In addition, it may happen that this method does not suit you, for example, if you have renal failure. It should be noted that in some cases more acceptable open surgery.
