Aortic Aneurysm

Symptoms:

you suspect you have an aortic aneurysm, you should seek medical attention immediately. Some common symptoms of an aortic aneurysm can include:

• Pain in the chest, back, or abdomen

• Swelling or bulging in the abdomen

• Pulsating sensation in the abdomen

• Shortness of breath

• Hoarseness

• Cough

• Difficulty swallowing

• Loss of consciousness

Sudden onset of severe, sharp, tearing pain in the chest or back (indicating a possible aortic dissection) However, many people with an aortic aneurysm do not experience any symptoms until it is too late. This is why routine screening is recommended for individuals at high risk for developing an aortic aneurysm. These individuals include those with a family history of the condition, those with a history of smoking, and those with high blood pressure or atherosclerosis.

Causes / Risk Factors:

Individuals belonging to the following risk factor groups are advised to undergo screening for aortic aneurysms:

Chronic smokers

• Predominantly males who are older than 65 years

• Individuals with long-term hypertension and/or heart disease

• Those with congenital soft tissue diseases such as Marfan's syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and Loeys-Dietz Syndrome

• Individuals with a strong family history of aortic aneurysms and dissections.

Diagnosis:

Diagnosis is based on clinical examination where an aneurysm can be felt as a throbbing mass in the abdomen. An ultrasound scan or CT scan is recommended for confirmation of an aneurysm.

Treatments:

The treatment for an aortic aneurysm depends on various factors, including its location, size, and rate of growth. The goal of treatment is to prevent the aneurysm from rupturing, which can be life-threatening. The Endovascular Aortic Repair (EVAR) technique employs covered stent-grafts to treat aneurysms. By inserting special stents, which are small tubes that hold the vessel open, through small incisions in the groin, EVAR can reline and exclude the aneurysm from the arterial blood pressure circulation under X-ray guidance (fluoroscopy). EVAR is particularly suitable for older patients or those with multiple comorbidities who face higher surgical risks. Furthermore, because of its minimally invasive nature, EVAR can be carried out under local anaesthesia and mild sedation. Typically, patients who undergo EVAR do not need to stay in the intensive care unit and are able to resume their activities within 8 hours, with a discharge from the hospital 48 hours after surgery. In some selected cases, young and fit patients can even be discharged on the same day.