The term "aneurysm" refers to a pathological process, the course of which is characterized by a change in the state of the walls of blood vessels. They stretch, forming an additional cavity, which is filled with liquid connective tissue. There is an aneurysm true and false. In the first case, it is customary to talk about mechanical damage to veins and arteries, in which the formed cavity consists of all layers of the vascular wall. A false aneurysm is a defect that is limited to the connective tissue. In this case, communication with the vessel occurs through the place of violation of the integrity of the tissues.
Pathogenesis
The basis for the development of a false aneurysm is the formation of a hematoma that occurs after trauma to the wall of a blood vessel. Over time, the cavity increases in size and fills with liquid connective tissue. This neoplasm communicates with the vessel at the site of damage.
As mentioned above, the difference between a false aneurysm and a true one is that the walls of the cavity are represented by connective tissue.
Etiology
The formation of a pathological neoplasm is considered the result of a pulsating hematoma. False aneurysm is always a consequence of a violation of the integrity of the vascular wall. In other words, the ailment is always traumatic.
Causes of pathology:
- Puncture of an artery during medical procedures. For example, in the process of angiography (x-ray examination of blood vessels), the doctor introduces a contrast agent into the vessel through a catheter. In this case, any careless movement leads to a puncture of the vessel with a needle.
- An inflammatory process of a purulent nature, developing in tissues located directly near the arterial trunk. The walls of blood vessels literally melt, a logical consequence of which is hemorrhage and the formation of a hematoma.
- Complications arising after surgery.
- Violation of the integrity of the walls of the vessel, resulting from damage to the soft tissues from the outside.
According to statistics, the most common false aneurysm ( especially the femoral artery ) occurs after improper medical procedures for diagnostic purposes. In particular, a pathological cavity is often formed after catheterization.
A false aneurysm may also occur in the true place. This occurs against the background of thinning of elastic and muscle fibers, as a result of which they are replaced by connective tissue.
As a rule, the formation of aneurysm occurs 2 weeks after injury. Most often they form in deeply located vessels.
Clinical manifestations
In most cases, a false aneurysm does not provoke the development of profuse external bleeding. In this regard, damage to the vessel often goes unnoticed. The main sign of the presence of aneurysm is noise detected during auscultation. In addition, it increases with pulsation.
Clinical manifestations and their severity directly depend on the localization of the pathological cavity. For example, a false aortic aneurysm is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Heart palpitations.
- Dizziness.
- Shortness of breath.
- Painful sensations in the heart.
- Short-term loss of consciousness.
Small aneurysms are not accompanied by pronounced symptoms. Severe discomfort appears when the cavity squeezes nearby organs. A neoplasm localized on the right ventricle also has the above symptoms. It is worth noting that in this case, ignoring the pathology leads to death.
Symptoms of a false aneurysm of the left ventricle:
- Shortness of breath, worse when lying down.
- Rapid breathing.
- Intrusive dry cough. Sometimes it is wet and is accompanied by a separation of foaming sputum.
- Cyanosis of the skin.
- Swelling of the lower extremities.
- Ascites.
False femoral artery aneurysm is also often diagnosed. It is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Painful sensations, aggravated by physical exertion. Often they radiate to the groin area.
- Throbbing tissue in the thigh.
- Numbness of the limb.
- Uncontrolled twitching of muscle fibers.
- Cyanotic feet.
Thus, clinical manifestations depend on the location of the aneurysm. But in absolutely all cases, patients feel throbbing and pain. In addition, there is a change in the shade of the skin.
Diagnostics
If there are disturbing signs, it is recommended that you first contact your therapist. This is a specialist in a wide profile who can determine the nature of the disease.
Diagnosis of a false aneurysm is to conduct an examination, including:
- Doppler ultrasound.
- CT and MR angiography.
- Blood analysis.
Based on the diagnostic results, the therapist will refer the patient to a surgeon, cardiologist, neurologist or neurosurgeon.
Conservative treatment
Currently, there is no drug that could save the patient from a false aneurysm. If the neoplasm is small and its location is relatively safe, doctors prescribe a compression compression of the vessel. Or, a medication is introduced into the enlarged cavity, the active components of which have a thrombotic effect. As a result, the movement of blood through the vessel is blocked.
Surgery
Most patients are immediately prescribed surgery. This is due to the fact that conservative therapy is most often ineffective.
There are 2 methods for surgical treatment of false aneurysms:
The choice of methodology is carried out by the doctor on the basis of anamnesis and diagnostic results.
Surgical treatment of true and false aneurysms in an open way involves clipping. The doctor dissects the soft tissues, finds a pathological cavity and puts a clip on her neck. This is a special medical device that does not allow blood to flow into the aneurysm.
Closed technique is less traumatic. It involves the removal of aneurysm intravascularly.
If the cavity was completely excised during the operation, the surgical intervention is considered successful, and the patient is completely cured.
Forecast
The outcome of the disease depends on the timeliness of contacting a doctor. With an early diagnosis of aneurysm, the prognosis is favorable.
Ignoring the pathology leads to the development of numerous complications. The most likely consequences:
- Cavity rupture. In this case, there is a risk of extensive hemorrhage.
- Stratification of the walls of the cavity.
- The attachment of an infectious agent. In this case, the process of development of inflammation is started. Infection can also enter the walls of the vessel.
- Fistula formation. This term refers to the formation of a message with adjacent authorities.
- The formation of blood clots in the pathological cavity and their subsequent entry into the bloodstream.
In order to prevent the development of complications, it is necessary to contact a specialist as soon as the first signs of the disease appear.
Finally
Aneurysm is a pathological cavity formed on a blood vessel. However, she has a message with him. Aneurysm can be true or false. In the first case, its walls are represented by all three layers of the vessel. A false aneurysm is a cavity consisting of connective tissue. The main reason for the development of tumors is injury. They can be both open and closed.
Often a damaged vessel for a long time goes unnoticed. But if the first signs of an ailment occur, you need to see a doctor. This is because a false aneurysm is a serious health hazard. Treatment of pathology is most often carried out surgically (open or closed).