Aortic Aneurysm is a pathological local expansion of the section of the main artery, due to the weakness of its walls. Depending on the location of the aortic aneurysm, it can show itself by pain in the chest or abdomen, the presence of a pulsating tumor formation, symptoms of compression of neighboring organs: shortness of breath, cough, dysphonia, dysphagia, swelling and cyanosis of the face and neck. The basis of the diagnosis of aortic aneurysm are radiological (chest and abdominal radiography, aortography) and ultrasound methods (ultrasound of the chest / abdominal aorta). Surgical treatment of aneurysm involves performing its resection with aortic prosthesis or closed endoluminal prosthesis of the aneurysm with a special endoprosthesis. The main danger of this disease is the gradual expansion of the lumen of the vessel, which in the absence of intervention can lead to rupture.

Causes of Pathology

There can be several reasons for the development of aneurysm. This is atherosclerosis with its simultaneous hardening of the arteries. The genetic factor matters, that is, the weakening and thinning of the walls of the vessel can occur due to hereditary diseases. The reason for the development of aneurysm is a previous infection, for example, syphilis and endocarditis. The most common cause of aortic aneurysm is age. With age, the veins and blood vessels lose their elasticity, the aorta becomes more rigid, which leads to the appearance and development of aneurysm. In more rare cases, aneurysm develops as a result of trauma. The aorta can be damaged due to a strong trauma to the chest or during a car accident.

Symptoms

Unfortunately, the most obvious and sign of aneurysm is its rupture with subsequent bleeding and a high probability of death. Despite such asymptomaticity, the problem can still be detected, since the development of the disease is often accompanied by unpleasant and painful sensations, which can be attributed to other common diseases.

Aortic aneurysm is a pathological bulging of the walls of the aorta. The main causes of aortic aneurysm are atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, hereditary tissue pathology (Marfan syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome), as well as congenital defects of the heart and blood vessels. Aortic aneurysm is a complex and dangerous disease, characterized by an increased risk of sudden death. Symptoms of aortic aneurysm are associated with impaired blood circulation and with compression of the organs surrounding the aorta. In some cases, an aortic aneurysm develops completely asymptomatically. Diagnosis of aortic aneurysm involves the determination of structural changes in the aorta using various imaging methods. The main treatment for aortic aneurysm is surgery. Therapeutic treatment is used to reduce the rate of progression of atherosclerosis and to prevent complications. Aortic surgery is considered the most difficult in the entire field of cardiac surgery.

Surgical methods of treating aortic aneurysm:

Prosthetic replacement of the ascending aorta with synthetic conduit is a surgical technique in which a pathologically altered portion of the aorta is replaced with a dacron tube with an artificial aortic valve. This common treatment option has good results, but there is a slight drawback: a healthy aortic valve is replaced with an artificial valve.

Supracoronary prosthesis of the ascending aorta is a surgical technique in which the pathologically altered parts of the ascending aorta are replaced with a synthetic tube made of dacron. This treatment option is used when patient does not have changes on the aortic valve and does not require surgical correction.

David operation is a surgical technique in which the replacement of the pathologically changed section of the ascending aorta is performed by reconstructing the aortic root while preserving the natural aortic valve. This is a surgical technique named after its founder.