Aorta is the largest artery of the human body that carries blood and oxygen to the various organs, upper and lower extremities.
When the aortic diameter grows beyond normal, usually more than 3 cm, we say that the aorta has aneurysm stretching or simpler aortic aneurysms. Similar aneurysms can be created in the thoracic aorta, as in the iliac arteries, which receive blood from the abdominal aorta and direct it to the pelvis and lower extremities.
Dr George Tzavellas, MD, MSC, FACS, FSVs, who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of vascular diseases, speaks to Nikos Evangelatos and Newsit.gr to properly treat abdominal aortic aneurysms.
Causes and factors leading to aneurysm
The main factors responsible for the development of aneurysm are:
- the smoking
- the arterial hypertension
- the atherosclerosis
- the inheritance
Heredity is a very important factor, which is why patients with a family history should be checked for aneurysm.
Other causes are infections, inflammatory reactions, autoimmune diseases and trauma.
Diagnosis
In recent years, with preventive ultrasound control in specific groups of high -risk patients, aneurysm aortic disease can be diagnosed early. Patients aged 65 and older, especially with a history of smoking, should undergo preventive ultrasound testing. Also, if one has a first -degree relative with aortic aneurysm they should undergo ultrasound testing to rule out the presence of aneurysm.
It is quite common for the abdominal aortic aneurysm to be diagnosed with imaging screening (computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, radiography) that the patient has undergone for other reasons.
The creation of aneurysm is a silent process that can remain undiagnosed for a long time. It is important to know that the occurrence of symptoms, such as abdominal pain or back in patients with aneurysm needs immediate medical assessment.
Treatment
Depending on the size of the aneurysm we decide proper treatment.
They grow slowly so it is important to be closely monitored. Aneurysms greater than 5-5.5 cm require surgical rehabilitation. Also, aneurysms with a rapid rate of growth of their size and jacket aneurysms may need to be treated before they reach 5 cm. The aneurysm can be treated with the traditional open method or intravascular. Endovascular treatment with stent graft, either transdermally or with two small incisions in the groin, revolutionized the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm offering faster postoperative rehabilitation with excellent results.
George Tzavellas, MD, MSC, RPVI, FACS, FSVs
Vascular surgeon, Athens Medical Center
Assistant Professor of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, in, USA