The aorta is called the main largest artery of the body. It performs a connecting function between the heart and internal organs.
Aneurysms are pathological enlargements that most often appear in the aorta. They appear in thinned, weakened areas of the vessel. High blood pressure contributes to increased expansion. Late diagnosis of the disease can lead to rupture of the vessel and fatal bleeding. In addition, the expansion contributes to disruption of blood flow, which, in turn, increases the risk of blood clot formation (thrombosis). A blood clot can spread along the vascular passage, while its fragmented elements can move with the bloodstream. Thus, embolism occurs. Excessive calcium deposits also form on the thinned vascular wall.
Extensions can form on any vascular site. Abdominal aortic aneurysms are observed in three of four cases of all aortic aneurysms. The shape of the resulting expansion can be sack-shaped or spindle-shaped.
The development of abdominal aortic aneurysm may be the result of atherosclerosis, arterial hypertension, inflammatory processes in the walls of the vessel. The formation of extensions can be associated with congenital diseases of the connective tissue, as well as infectious diseases accompanied by damage to the aortic wall.
Symptoms of abdominal aortic aneurysm are manifested by severe sudden pain in the lower back and abdomen. Manifestations of the disease are also accompanied by sensations of pulsating formations in the abdominal region. Moreover, their rhythm coincides with the rhythm of the heart rate. Rarely there is pain in the legs, accompanied by their pallor and "cyanosis", which is caused by the migration of pieces of a blood clot along the arterial arteries.
Rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm is accompanied by bleeding. Symptoms in this case depend on the direction of the gap.
With an intraperitoneal breakthrough of the abdominal aortic aneurysm, hemorrhagic shock occurs , accompanied by increased internal bleeding. In addition, there is a sharp blanching of the skin, increased heart rate. Percussion of the abdomen reveals the presence of free fluid in the abdominal cavity. The catastrophic course of the disease in this case completely excludes any research. Death comes fast enough.
Retroperitoneal rupture is accompanied by pain in the lower back or abdomen.
A breakthrough of the abdominal aortic aneurysm into the inferior vena cava is characterized by shortness of breath, weakness, and palpitations. In this case, pain in the lower back and abdomen with a pulsating formation in it and a characteristic systolic-diastolic murmur (hum) are observed. These manifestations are characterized by a planned, but unshakable progression. As a result, severe heart failure occurs.
The expansion gap in the direction of the duodenum is accompanied by sudden collapse and bloody vomiting.
Examination of the patient in a horizontal position often reveals an increased pulsation of the aneurysm. Palpation (palpation with fingers) of the upper half of the abdomen (usually in the left part of its central line) reveals the presence of a pulsating tumor formation. As a rule, it is motionless, it can be painless or painless. When auscultation (listening) reveals a systolic hum above the formation. Small extensions can be detected by computed tomography.
As a rule, the use of general clinical instrumental methods of research allows you to correctly diagnose the disease in most patients. That is why the appointment of aortography is necessary only in cases where the research results do not show a clear picture of the disease.
Given the suddenness of the manifestation of complications, treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm is carried out by the surgical method. In this case, the removal and replacement of the affected vessel is performed.