All About Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm

Having a thoracic aortic aneurysm represents an imminent life threat, as this abnormal widening can burst at any time and can lead to clot formation triggering a stroke or heart attack.

Thoracic aortic aneurysm can be caused by several risk factors. In some cases, it can be hereditary, if other family members have also been affected. Smoking, obesity, and chest trauma can also be contributing factors. In addition, diseases such as atherosclerosis, infections like syphilis and tuberculosis, and other degenerative conditions of the aorta can lead to a thoracic aortic aneurysm.

It is often difficult to detect a thoracic aortic aneurysm before it manifests with specific symptoms. These vary depending on the severity and size of the aneurysm and can present in various ways, such as:

When a doctor identifies symptoms of a thoracic aortic aneurysm, they may recommend several tests such as X-rays, MRI, CT scan, ultrasound, and angiography to better diagnose the condition.

There is a wide range of therapeutic options to achieve the above-mentioned goals. The choice of one option over another greatly depends on the severity of the aortic aneurysm in question. If it is small, doctors will opt for regular monitoring of the widening and may treat any underlying health problems with medication and/or by adopting a healthy lifestyle. These problems include smoking, hypertension, or high cholesterol, which could worsen the situation. On the other hand, if the aortic aneurysm is large, surgical intervention becomes unavoidable.

To maximize early detection of any changes, such as widening, of an aortic aneurysm, regular follow-up of an aortic aneurysm including examinations such as echocardiography, CT or MRI thoraco-abdominal scan, and abdominal ultrasound is essential.

Certain medications are particularly effective in treating an aortic aneurysm, namely beta-blockers, angiotensin II receptor antagonists, and statins. Beta-blockers and angiotensin II receptor antagonists are recommended to regulate blood pressure, while statins are effective in controlling high cholesterol.

To treat a large aortic aneurysm, there are two surgical methods: the traditional approach and the endovascular approach.

In the treatment of aortic aneurysms, it is important to consider the two surgical techniques described above. The second is less invasive than the first; however, it is regrettable that it is not suitable for all patients suffering from this condition.

Surgery to treat an aortic aneurysm is a very complex operation, with a high risk of death due to potential complications.

To ensure patient safety, doctors only opt for surgery when the risk of death caused by the rupture of an aortic aneurysm is higher than the risk of post-operative complications. In other words, they only decide to operate if the aortic aneurysm represents a greater threat than the surgical procedure itself.

When an aortic aneurysm ruptures, surgery must be performed quickly to repair the aorta and stop internal bleeding.

When it comes to the causes of abdominal aortic aneurysm, they can be similar because they are actually two distinct pathways of the aorta affected by the same pathology. Thus, it is possible that people affected by the first form are also affected by the second.