Aortic enlargement is one of the most dangerous pathology predictions. In another way, this phenomenon is called aneurysm. Aortic enlargement is an extremely dangerous condition for the patient during its progression, therefore, in this case, constant medical supervision is required. As a rule, with such pathologies, a certain expansion of the vessel is formed. It is worth noting that not a single department is safe from aortic expansion. However, it is the ascendant that is most at risk. It is worthwhile to familiarize yourself in more detail with what constitutes aortic expansion, how diagnostics are performed, and also what methods of therapy are used to treat this ailment.
Aortic departments
The aorta is one of the two main vessels in the human body that connects the left ventricle and its atrium. On the inside of this vessel are three salsa of the valsalva. As a rule, blood moves from the heart to all other organs in the body and human tissues along the aorta. The aorta looks very similar to a tree that has a trunk and small branches. The aorta is divided into several main departments:
- Ascending, moving from the aortic valve to the brachiocephalic trunk.
- The aortic arch is a not too long section of the main vessel, which is considered a key component of the entire circulatory system of the head and shoulder girdle. These vessels, which feed the head and shoulders, form a kind of arc connecting the ascending and descending sections of the main vessel.
- Descending or thoracic. In this section, the vessels are located in the direction from the subclavian artery on the left side and to the diaphragm.
- The abdominal part. This site is located from the diaphragm to the place where the main vessel bifurcates, the role of which is played by the aorta.
General description of the pathology
By itself, the expansion of the aorta of the heart is presented in the form of an increase in the diameter of the vessel about one and a half times, in some cases more. With this pathology, the walls of the dilated vessel lose their maximum elasticity, which negatively affects the blood flow velocity in the human body, as well as the state of blood pressure. All extensions of the aorta of the heart are usually assigned to different groups that differ from each other in the area of localization, the main causes of the formation of pathology, as well as the structure of the walls of the aorta. For example, based on the localization of the expansion, the following varieties of aneurysm should be distinguished:
- Expansion of the aortic root.
- Aneurysm affecting the ascending part of the vessel, starting from the sinotubular crest and ending with the aortic arch.
- Expansion of the aortic arch.
The characteristic features of the violation
During such a pathology, experts note a strong expansion of the vessel in the form of a spindle or sac. Aneurysmal enlargement of the aorta can form absolutely on any part of this vessel. Since the blood enters the various organs inside the body precisely through the aorta, and this is promoted by increased pressure, the pathology is considered very dangerous for human health. An irreversible violation is the expansion of the lumen of the main vessel.
Statistics show that about 38% of the registered cases of patients occur in the expansion of the abdominal aorta, about 24% in the ascending aorta, and about 18% in the aortic arch.
The main reasons for the development
Diagnosis of this pathology should be carried out only by a cardiologist. After this, the specialist should prescribe methods of treatment for aortic enlargement. As for the main reasons for the formation of this pathology, it is customary to distinguish several:
- Various transferred infectious and inflammatory processes.
- The formation of cholesterol plaques on the main vessel, which is commonly called in medicine atherosclerosis.
- Some vascular injuries during surgery on the cardiovascular system.
- Congenital dysplasia of connective tissues.
- Congenital valve disease in children.
- The presence of hypertension.
- Congenital aneurysms in newborns.
- Various genetic pathologies related to the type of Marfan syndrome and others.
It is also worth noting that during pregnancy, a process of increased release in the blood into the vessel begins to form in the female body, which is also the reason for the development of such a pathology. In addition, expansion of the ascending aorta or other division may occur due to addiction to alcohol or nicotine.
Varieties of pathology
As already noted, all types of aneurysm differ among themselves relative to the localization zone. It is worthwhile to become more familiar with those species that are most often diagnosed in patients.
Expansion of the abdominal aorta
This pathology is one of the most common. In most recorded cases, this type of expansion is considered a consequence of blunt injuries of the abdomen, as well as a consequence of smoking. Mostly men who are over 75 years old suffer from this pathology. The danger of this aneurysm is that it almost always instantly ruptures, and this happens almost painlessly. But if the gap is observed precisely in the abdominal zone, then the patient begins to feel a cutting pain, concentrated in the lower back and abdomen. If the rupture has occurred imperceptibly, then there is a high probability that the patient will die due to internal hemorrhage.
During the expansion of the abdominal vessel, a person can feel pain in the kidneys, ureters, pancreas, and also in the intestines. If the enlarged area passes the ureter, then this will provoke hydronephrosis. If the duodenum undergoes pressure, then the patient will experience stagnation of the eaten food in the intestine.
It is important to note that the main symptom of such a pathology is constant pulsation, concentrated in the navel.
Arc extension
The aortic arch is the area of the main vessel that carries the greatest likelihood of developing aneurysm. As a rule, in this area the blood flow sharply changes its direction. It is here that the pressure, speed and turbulence of blood flow changes. As a result of all this, an expansion of the aortic lumen may develop. Basically, an aneurysm of the arc manifests itself in the form of shortness of breath and dry cough, dull soreness in the area of the shoulder blades, hoarseness of the voice, as well as a constant pulsation in the wrist area.
Downstream Expansion
As a rule, in this case, the pathology has a spindle-shaped or sack-shaped shape. Both abdominal vessels and vessels related to the thoracic region suffer from this expansion. The main reason for the expansion of the aorta of the descending division is considered to be a cholesterol plaque. This type of pathology is detected during an x-ray of organs, as well as vessels located in the chest area. As a rule, such a pathology does not have any symptoms. Only sometimes can a patient have a constant burning pain in the upper abdomen.
Diagnostic Methods
Basically, aortic dilatation does not have any pronounced symptoms and signs. Most often, this pathology is detected by chance during the diagnosis of any secondary diseases or during preventive procedures. If the specialist has a suspicion of the expansion of the main vessel in the human body, then he should assign the following diagnostic measures to the patient:
- Roentgenography. It is worth noting that x-rays are used relative to the department where there is a suspicion of vasodilation.
- Echocardiography. This diagnostic method is mainly used when expanding the ascending aorta.
- MRI or CT scan of the main vessel of the abdominal or thoracic regions.
- Angiography to evaluate the functioning of the main vessels.
It is important to note that quite often aneurysms disguise themselves as other pathological processes, because of which a specialist can go astray. For this reason, it is necessary to differentiate the aneurysm from the formation of tumors and other pathologies that occur in the lungs or other organs located in the abdominal cavity.
General clinical picture
If we consider the signs of expansion of the main vessel, then basically such a pathology does not have any symptoms and signs. If soreness appears, then it is mainly localized in the aneurysm and manifests itself in the form of a pulsation.
First of all, the symptoms of various types of vasodilation are as follows:
- With the expansion of the abdominal aorta, heaviness appears in the abdominal region, constipation, vomiting, decreased bowel function, belching. During palpation, the specialist may feel a small seal, which is pulsating in nature.
- With the expansion of the ascending section, pain appears in the sternum. In this case, the patient may also appear swelling in the upper region of the body, as well as on the face. Dyspnea, dizziness, and tachycardia are possible.
- With the expansion of the aortic arch, the patient develops a dry cough, bradycardia, and salivation. If the aorta is compressed in the area of the bronchi and lungs, then pneumonia can develop.
Therapy Features
Treatment methods for enlargement of the main vessel should be based on the specific form of the aneurysm, its size and location. If there is a small expansion of the lumen of the vessel, then the patient can simply be observed in dynamics. In this case, a support specialist may prescribe the following drugs:
- Antihypertensive drugs to lower blood pressure.
- Venotonics that can strengthen the walls of blood vessels.
- Medications that lower blood cholesterol.
- Various vitamin complexes to normalize metabolic processes in the myocardium.
- Anticoagulants to prevent blood clots.
It is important to note that all medications should be prescribed only by the attending cardiologist. Particular attention should be paid to the fact that no alternative recipes in the treatment of this pathology are invalid.
If the lumen of the main vessel in the abdominal region is more than 4 cm, and in the thoracic region its size is more than 6 cm, then the patient will need surgical intervention. In addition, surgery is prescribed in cases where the patient’s clearance has increased by 0.5 cm in six months.
The principle of surgical intervention is based on the removal of a relaxed portion of the vessel, or on its reduction. In some cases, a special prosthetic stent is placed. The operation can be organized as an open method, as well as endoscopic.
Pathology Prevention
In order to never suffer from such an unpleasant disease, you need to seriously monitor your health. In particular, since youthful years it is recommended to strengthen your blood vessels, for which you will have to abandon the use of alcohol and tobacco. After 45 years, people should regularly monitor their blood pressure. If any problems are observed, then you should seek the help of a cardiac surgeon.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that, at first glance, a harmless pathology actually carries an incredibly great danger to human life. The fact is that the expansion of the main vessel can provoke a sudden rupture of the aorta at any time, which can cause instant death. Therefore, it is necessary to seriously and adequately treat the treatment of this pathology. It should be remembered that any delay in the patient may cost him his life.