![]() ![]() The average hospital stay is between 5-10 days. ![]() If there is disease of the aortic valve or other valves in the heart or coronary artery disease is present, these conditions will be operated on during the same procedure. During surgery, the diseased portion of the aorta is replaced with an artificial alternative. The heart is connected to a heart-lung bypass machine which takes over the work of the heart and the lungs, circulating oxygenated blood throughout the body. The surgery is performed through an incision in the middle of the chest. ![]() Some of the aneurysms in the lower parts of the aorta are treated with different forms of stents, which means the patient will not have open surgery. In some the actual aortic valve needs replacing as well. The aim of surgery is to treat aneurysm, mainly by removing it and replacing it with artificial material. Aortic dissection (tear in the aorta) is a life-threatening emergency. Ideally, surgery for a thoracic aortic aneurysm can be planned electively. Genetic screening consists of blood sampling and sometimes testing of saliva.ĭepending on the size and growth rate of your thoracic aortic aneurysm, treatment may vary from watchful waiting (closely watching a patient’s condition but not giving treatment unless symptoms appear or change).to emergency surgery.It is performed by injecting a dye into the groin or an arm vessel and then imaging the coronary arteries. Coronary angiography is a test to evaluate the state of the coronary arteries (vessels running on the surface of the heart).Echocardiography is an ultrasound scan which evaluates the aneurysm, heart valves and function of the ventricles (the pumping chambers of the heart).Įach test will take half to one hour and is performed as out-patient.MRI is another form of imaging to evaluate the aneurysm and sometimes the flow in the vessels.CT is the most common test to evaluate the aortic aneurysm.An incidental murmur can also be found on routine examination by a GP or other health check. Some patients have a family history of aneurysm. Some present with high blood pressure, chest pain and/or shortness of breath. Many patients have no symptoms and their problem is diagnosed on routine testing. Other causes. Inflammatory conditions, such as giant cell arteritis and Takayasu arteritis.People with bicuspid aortic valve have an increased risk of thoracic aortic aneurysm. These people are born with this form of aortic valve. Bicuspid aortic valve. Approximately 2% of the population has a bicuspid aortic valve, meaning the aortic valve has only two leaflets (or cusps) instead of three.Some of these conditions include Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and Loeys-Dietz syndrome. Genetic conditions. Genetic conditions that affects the connective tissue (lining and walls of the vessels and aorta) in the body, are at risk of a thoracic aortic aneurysm.Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).Causeįactors that can contribute to development of an aortic aneurysm are: It’s therefore important to treat an aortic aneurysm before dissection occurs. This is called dissection and can cause life-threatening bleeding, requiring emergency surgery. However, follow-up is necessary because as the aortic wall enlarges, there is risk of the wall tearing. In the present state of knowledge, the only possible advice is antiplatelet treatment and case-by-case consideration of anti-coagulant treatment, in particular in the presence of a mobile thrombus of the aortic arch.Depending on its size and growth, an aortic aneurysm may not ever rupture. ![]() The natural history of this type of lesion must be studied before any management attitude can be defined. Recent studies have also shown that plaques of the aortic arch are commoner in cases of cerebral infarction of unknown origin than when another potential cause is detected. Certain arguments suggest that the aortic arch may be a source of cerebral emboli: the high incidence of aortic mural thrombi and atheroma emboli during aortography or coronary arteriography, or cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation requiring cannulation of the aorta. However, a causal relationship has never been demonstrated and it is possible that they may merely be a marker of atherosclerotic disease. Since the advent of transesophageal echocardiography, it has become possible to detect atherosclerotic plaques of the aortic arch. A mural thrombus can thus be the source of systemic or cerebral emboli. The normal healing process results in the regular formation of thrombi on these ulcerations. Atherosclerosis of the aortic arch is common in individuals aged over 60. ![]()
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