Aortic Aneurysm
Understanding and Treating Aortic Aneurysms
An aortic aneurysm occurs when a section of the arterial wall in the aorta weakens and begins to bulge outward. The aorta is the body’s largest artery, running from the heart through the chest and abdomen, delivering blood to both the upper and lower parts of the body. An aneurysm in this critical artery can compromise blood flow and pose serious health risks. Early detection and appropriate vascular treatments are essential to manage an aneurysm in the aorta to prevent dangerous complications.
What is the Aorta Artery?
The aorta is the largest artery in the human body. Supplying oxygen-rich blood to all parts of the body, the aorta runs from the heart through the chest and the abdomen with smaller arteries connected to the bottom of the aorta called iliac arteries that distribute blood to vital organs and tissues. Given its size and critical function, the aorta plays an essential role in maintaining circulation, delivering nutrients and oxygen to both the upper and lower body.
What is an Aneurysm?
An aneurysm is the breakdown and weakening of the walls of an artery that lead to the unhealthy expansion of the artery. An arterial aneurysm is a condition that affects an artery through the weakening of the arterial walls in an artery that lead to the swelling and bulging of the the artery from the increased blood pressure in the artery due to the weaker arterial walls. If an aneurysm is not treated, the aneurysm may grow larger and, in severe cases, rupture, leading to life-threatening internal bleeding.
Types of Aortic Aneurysms
There are two main types of aortic aneurysms that are classified by their location in the aorta:
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: This type of aneurysm forms in the abdominal section of the aorta and is the most common type of aneurysm in the aorta artery. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms are especially dangerous because they often grow without symptoms until they reach a critical size or rupture.
- Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm: Located in the chest portion of the aorta, Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms are less common than Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms but are associated with serious risks to your vascular and overall health. Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms can lead to back or chest pain, hoarseness, or difficulty swallowing as they grow and press on nearby structures.
Both types of aneurysms can lead to severe health issues and must be treated by a vascular surgeon to avoid future complications or vascular conditions.
Causes of Aortic Aneurysms
Aortic aneurysms are caused by a weakening of the aortic wall, which can result from various underlying vascular conditions, lifestyle factors and genetics:
- Smoking: Smoking is a major risk factor for aneurysms as it contributes to arterial damage and weakens vessel walls and adds to plaque buildup.
- High Blood Pressure: Chronic high blood pressure adds stress to the walls of an artery, which over time can weaken the structural integrity of the artery and lead to bulging in the weakened parts of the arterial wall.
- Genetics: A family history of aneurysms or vascular conditions, particularly among close relatives, increases the likelihood of developing an aneurysm.
- Age and Gender: Aneurysms are more common in people over the age of 60, and tend to affect men more frequently than women.
- Connective Tissue Disorders: Conditions such as Marfan syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome weaken the structure of the aortic wall, increasing the risk of aneurysms.
Many cases of aortic aneurysms are caused by a combination of factors, including, lifestyle habits, underlying vascular conditions or genetic predispositions. These risk factors weaken the aortic wall over time which can lead to the formation of aneurysms in the weakened areas of the aorta.
Aortic Aneurysm Symptoms
Aortic aneurysms often develop silently, with few or no symptoms until they grow large or rupture. When symptoms do occur, they can vary based on the aneurysm’s size and location:
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Symptoms: A few of the most common symptoms caused by an aneurysm found in the abdominal section of the aorta are a pulsating feeling near the navel, deep abdominal pain, back pain and weakness or numbness in lower extremities that receive their blood from the iliac arteries connected to the bottom part of the aorta in the abdominal section.
- Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Symptoms: A few of the most common symptoms caused by an aneurysm found in the thoracic section of the aorta are chest and upper back pain, difficulty breathing, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, shortness of breathe and a rapid heartbeat.
- Signs of Rupture: A sudden, intense pain in the abdomen or chest, rapid heart rate, dizziness, and loss of consciousness may signal the rupture of an aneurysm in the aorta. An aneurysm that ruptures is a critical medical emergency that required immediate emergency care.
Diagnostic Methods for Aortic Aneurysms
- Vascular Ultrasound: Vascular ultrasounds are a non-invasive test commonly used to detect abdominal aortic aneurysms. It provides clear images of the aorta and can measure aneurysm size and location.
- CT Scan: A CT scan with contrast dye offers a detailed view of the aorta, helping determine the aneurysm’s exact size and location for surgery preparation.
- MRI: MRI is useful for diagnosing aneurysms, particularly in the thoracic section of the aorta. MRIs provide a detailed view of the aneurysm in the aorta artery.
- Physical Examination: In some cases, a large abdominal aneurysm may be detected as a pulsating mass in the abdomen during a routine physical exam. Other symptoms of aneurysms are detectable during physical examinations which may lead a doctor to order more lab tests and scans.
Aortic Aneurysm Treatment Options
The treatment options for an aortic aneurysm depend on the size, location and the risk of rupture. Common treatment options include both lifestyle changes and surgical repair:
- Monitoring and Lifestyle Changes: Aortic aneurysms that are small and asymptomatic are often not immediately treated, depending on the attributes of the aneurysm it will be monitored through regular imaging studies and lifestyle changes. Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, controlling blood pressure and managing cholesterol to slow aneurysm growth.
- Endovascular Aneurysm Repair: Endovascular is a minimally invasive procedure used primarily for abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysms. A stent graft is inserted into the blood vessel through a small incision in the groin, guided to the aneurysm site with a catheter. Once in place, the stent graft reinforces the weakened area of the artery wall from within. Endovascular procedures offer a shorter recovery time and reduced risk of complications compared to open surgery.
- Open Vascular Surgeries: This approach is more invasive and typically reserved for larger or more complex aneurysms. During open vascular surgery, the surgeon makes a larger incision in the abdomen or chest to access the aorta directly. The surgeon will remove or bypass the aneurysmal section and sew a graft in place to reinforce the weakened part of the aorta. Open surgery provides a long-term, durable repair and is sometimes preferred for high-risk aneurysms due to its stability and effectiveness, though it requires a longer recovery period.
The treatment option that the surgeons at Glendale Vascular decide on for the patient’s aortic aneurysm case is based on the size, location and symptoms of the aneurysm and the patient’s overall health.
Patient Prognosis for Aortic Aneurysms
With timely treatment, many patients with aortic aneurysms experience positive outcomes that do not require follow-up procedures or have negative future complications. However, without intervention, aneurysms can grow larger and increase the risk of rupturing and causing a pulmonary embolism. Long-term management may include:
- Regular Imaging: Routine vascular ultrasound scans or CT scans to monitor the patients arota artery for changes or reoccurrences.
- Medication Management: Blood pressure and cholesterol medications help reduce strain on the arteries and slow aneurysm growth. These medications may be prescribed to patients depending on their health, age, the underlying causes of their aneurysm and current medications.
- Lifestyle Adjustments: Patients are strongly urged to stop smoking, commit to a regular exercise routine and eating a healthy and balanced diet. These lifestyle factors can contribute to significant improvements in overall vascular health and reduce the risk of aneurysm growth.
Contact Glendale Vascular for Diagnosis and Treatment of Aortic Aneurysms
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm or is at risk due to family history or other vascular conditions, Glendale Vascular offers expert care in managing and treating aortic aneurysms. Our medical team provides advanced diagnostic tools, minimally invasive endovascular procedures, open vascular surgeries and comprehensive support to protect your vascular health. Contact Glendale Vascular today to schedule a consultation to learn more about treatment options for aortic aneurysms.