Hypoplasia of the right vertebral artery: symptoms, causes and treatment features

One of the most serious existing pathologies is hypoplasia of the right vertebral artery, that is, its underdevelopment. This is a severe anomaly that entails many consequences, and one of the most serious is a decrease in brain functionality and impaired blood flow.

What is the cause of hypoplasia? What symptoms indicate the presence of this anomaly? How is the diagnosis carried out? What is needed for treatment? What are the forecasts? This and much more will now be discussed.

What is an anomaly?

This must be described first. What does hypoplasia of the right vertebral artery mean ? This is an abnormality diagnosed with congenital underdevelopment. The main sign indicating its presence is a narrowing of the diameter of the artery. Because of this, the blood supply to the brain is disturbed. It cannot be normal. And it is maintained up to a certain point in time only due to compensated mechanisms. That is, if the body had no "reserves", it would not have been realized at all. And then these mechanisms begin to work only if the Willis circle (the arterial circle of the brain located at its base) is closed. Such cases are rare, as a rule, the Willis circle is open. This is fraught with an increased risk of oxygen starvation of the brain, which usually results in necrosis of its tissues.

The right and left arteries are the main components of the Willis circle. It is they who enter the cranial cavity, conducting blood into it. But, unfortunately, these vessels are vulnerable. All because of their anatomical location. In several places they are strongly bent. In addition, arteries pass through very narrow bony holes.

Causes

So, it was said above about what hypoplasia of the right vertebral artery means. This is a congenital pathology, and to prevent its development, despite many advances in medicine, is unrealistic. But the factors that can provoke the occurrence of this anomaly have been identified by doctors long ago. These include:

• Radiation exposure.
• Exposure of a pregnant woman to chemical or toxic substances.
• Infectious diseases carried by a woman during the period when she was in position.
• Taking heavy drugs and strong antibiotics during pregnancy. Their components are really able to affect the development of the fetus. That is why it is always necessary in the presence of even the simplest disease to go to the doctor. He will prescribe an adequate, harmless treatment.
• The use of drugs, alcohol and nicotine during pregnancy.
• The presence of immediate family members who have PA hypoplasia.

It should be noted that although hypoplasia of the right vertebral artery is a common anomaly, it is very rarely detected in children. This is because the notorious compensatory mechanisms work fine for them. Pathology manifests itself only if the artery narrows sharply, and the Willis circle begins to separate. Then the brain simply loses the opportunity to get blood bypassing the affected artery.

The first signs begin to manifest themselves in adulthood. The body at that time simply exhausted the internal resources that previously allowed it to maintain the full function of the hematopoietic system.

And, as a rule, the signs appear for a reason, but because of the influence of provoking factors. These include:

• Osteochondrosis is a dystrophic disorder in the articular cartilage. If a person suffers from this ailment, then bone growths simply compress the arteries (one or two at once).
• Damage to the cervical vertebrae - it leads to the fact that the spinal canal with vessels is deformed.
• Membrane hardening. It is through it that the arteries enter the cranial cavity.
• Atherosclerotic vascular disease, which leads to the formation of blood clots in the lumen of a narrowed artery.

Unfortunately, a complete cure for the anomaly is not possible. Therapy can only lead to temporary compensation of local blood flow. But treatment is necessary, as this will improve well-being, quality of life, as well as avoid the consequences.

Symptoms

Before proceeding to consider the treatment indicated for this anomaly, it is necessary to study the signs indicating the presence of hypoplasia of the right vertebral artery. The following symptoms can be distinguished:

• Frequent headaches.
• Visual impairment and visual impairment.
• Problems with coordination of movements.
• Dizziness.
• Problems in the cardiovascular system.
• Weakness and fatigue.
• Trouble sleeping.
• The appearance of weather sensitivity.
• Variability of mood and depression.
• Hearing impairment, tinnitus. Perhaps the development of sensorineural hearing loss, which ends with hearing loss, provoked by the defeat of the sound-receiving apparatus.

All this points to oxygen starvation experienced by brain cells. If we talk about the characteristic manifestations of the disease, it is necessary to mention that in the presence of symptoms of hypoplasia of the right vertebral artery, the following is often noted:

• The pain is intermittent. The sensations experienced by patients with anomalies differ in intensity and other characteristics.
• The pain may increase. Typically, this occurs when turning the head, after waking up and at night.
• Sometimes people experience shooting or throbbing pain that spreads from the back of the head and neck to the temporomotibial regions.
• A sense of disorientation and distortion of the perception of the body in space, as a rule, arises in connection with sudden movements and tilts of the head. This often leads to staggering and falling.
• Dizzy spells often result in fainting and loss of consciousness.

If signs of hypoplasia of the right vertebral artery are identified, it is urgent to consult a doctor. Symptoms suggest that the body can no longer continue to independently compensate for blood flow disorders.

Hypoplasia v4 segment of the right vertebral artery

This case must be considered separately. In simple terms, the vessel in question starts from the subclavian artery. She, in turn, comes from the brachiocephalic trunk. The vertebral artery is carried into the cranial space through the large occipital foramen at the level of the atlas, the first cervical vertebra. This is also called C1 level.

So, the v4 segment begins from the place where the right artery forms a through defect (perforation) in the atlantooccipital membrane and up to the site where it merges with the left.

In general, many doctors do not share this segmentation in terms of the anomaly under consideration, since there are no specific clinical manifestations. Symptomatic differences are observed only if a person has disorders of individual brain functions. Why? Because the blood passing through the subclavian artery feeds several of its departments at once.

It turns out that ischemic processes occurring in different areas lead to different consequences, the complications of which also cannot be the same.

But then, in which particular segment the narrowing of the diameter is observed, is determined only during the diagnosis. The clinical picture is always the same.

Violation in the intracranial segment

Another kind of anomaly. Hypoplasia of the intracranial right vertebral artery has some specific symptoms.

Violations with this pathology occur in the area that passes directly in the cranial cavity. It is he who is closest to the brain structures. And this form of anomaly is the most unfavorable.

Primary symptoms are very blurry. These include:

• Regular causeless dizziness.
• Periodically occurring headaches spreading throughout its area.
• Violations of the vestibular nature. They have a sudden, temporary character.
• Disorders of the nervous system.
• Distortion of sensitivity in the limbs and neck, or even its complete loss.
• Blood pressure problems.

After the first symptoms of hypoplasia of the intracranial segment of the right vertebral artery appear, the disease begins to progress. If you ignore the signs, it will only get worse. Over time, the deterioration of hemodynamics will increase. The more age-related changes occur in the body, the faster the body will weaken.

Moderate anomaly

Such a concept also exists. Moderate hypoplasia of the right vertebral artery occurs most often. With anomalies of this form, symptoms and signs may remain hidden not only for a long time, but throughout life.

Such an anomaly has the most favorable forecasts. People often find out about its presence at random, when undergoing a planned diagnosis or when contacting a doctor about any other disease.

Pathology of a moderate form does not affect the throughput and functional ability of the arterial vessel, so the risk of negative consequences and complications is considered minimal.

The forecasts are good, because the brain receives sufficient compensation for blood flow due to anastomoses (connections) between the vessels and a developed network of collaterals. These are the branches of other vessels that supply blood to the same areas as the artery. In humans, closed circulatory systems - the arteries of all vascular pools unite among themselves, so a uniform inflow is provided to all brain areas without exception.

True, in some cases, certain symptoms manifest themselves. And they are mistakenly attributed to some other pathologies: vegetative-vascular dystonia, for example, or osteochondrosis.

Diagnostics

There are three methods by which the presence of hypoplasia of a segment of the right vertebral artery can be detected. These include:

• Tomography of the neck and head. The layered image of the internal structure of the object obtained as a result of this procedure allows us to assess the state of the vessels.
• Angiography. This method is based on a contrast x-ray examination of blood vessels. It allows you to identify anomalies in their structure.
• Magnetic resonance angiography (MR). Signs of hypoplasia of the right vertebral artery, this method allows you to identify quickly. It helps to assess the condition of the carotid, vertebral and main arteries (they nourish the brain tissue). Ultrasonic waves, which are reflected from blood cells, display the image of blood vessels on the screen. This makes it possible to see the presence of lesions and pathologies in them.

Whatever method is used, first of all, the doctor must determine the diameter of the artery. It is considered normal if it varies from 2 to 3 mm. If the diameter is less than 2 mm, then a person is diagnosed with hypoplasia of the right vertebral artery.

Drug treatment

Now we can talk about how to treat hypoplasia of the right vertebral artery. All recommendations, of course, are prescribed by the doctor after the examination and examination of the diagnostic results.

Typically, the patient is prescribed the use of drugs that can improve blood composition, positively affect blood circulation and metabolism. The best of them are:

• Preparations containing acetylsalicylic acid. They have an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect, and also inhibit platelet aggregation. Also, such tools help to expand blood vessels and increase plasma fibrinolytic activity.
• Thiocetam. It improves brain metabolism, has an antioxidant effect, improves attention, memory and consciousness without a psychostimulating and sedative effect.
• Ceraxon. Nootropic agent with a wide range of actions. It prevents the death of cells and helps restore their damaged membranes. Helps treat cognitive and vascular, neurological and degenerative etiology.
• Trental. This drug significantly improves microcirculation, reduces blood viscosity and positively affects its rheological properties.
• Cinnarizine. It is an effective calcium channel blocker that reduces the amount of calcium ions in the blood. Also, the drug affects the smooth muscles of the vessels and expands the arteries. Able to cope even with chronic cerebrovascular insufficiency.
• "Actovegin". This drug improves the regeneration process and activates the metabolism in tissues. It also has a microcirculatory, neuroprotective and metabolic effect, increases the speed of capillary blood flow.
• "Cerebrolysin". Its basis is biologically active low molecular weight neuropeptides. The drug has a multimodal effect on the brain, positively affects neurotrophic activity and metabolic regulation.
• "Vinpocetine". This tool improves brain metabolism, microcirculation and blood circulation, promotes the accumulation of cAMP in tissues and oxygen transport.

The effectiveness of the treatment of hypoplasia of the right vertebral artery with the drugs listed above has been proven. What exactly needs to be taken, in what quantity and for how long, is determined by the doctor. You do not need to prescribe treatment yourself - all of the listed medicines have contraindications and serious side effects.

Concomitant drugs

Continuing to talk about the treatment of hypoplasia of the right vertebral artery, it should be noted that in addition to the above medicines, you will need to take others - those that will help prevent complications. These are usually vitamins. Here are some of them recommended:

• Rutin (R). Strengthens vascular walls and interferes with circulatory disorders. The main sources are cereals, dark chocolate, cilantro, vegetables, citrus fruits, fruits and berries.
• Ascorbic acid (C). Helps prevent the appearance of cholesterol plaques, strengthen the vascular walls and heart. The main sources: citruses, fruits, berries, dried dill and marjoram, radish.
• Retinol (A). It contributes to the improvement of metabolism and helps prevent vascular atherosclerosis. The main sources are: bell pepper, fish oil, pumpkin, dairy products and carrots.
• Tocopherol (E). Normalizes blood coagulability and improves its circulation. Main sources: whole milk, pork and beef liver, egg yolk, leafy greens, nuts.
• Pyridoxine (B6). Participates in the process of blood formation and metabolism, removes excess cholesterol. The main sources are pistachios, garlic, beans, soybeans, mackerel, walnuts, sesame seeds.

Having diversified your diet, you can also turn your attention to complex vitamin preparations. With the hypoplasia of the right vertebral artery, Centrum Cardio, Vitalarix Cardio, Doppel Herz, Cardio Forte and Vitrum Cardio will help.

Folk remedies

If you believe the reviews, hypoplasia of the right vertebral artery can be treated with herbs. Doctors are skeptical of this statement, but do not deny that folk remedies can be a good prevention or restorative therapy. Here are some good recommendations:

• Three times a day, half an hour before a meal, you need to consume 1/3 teaspoon of powder from dandelion rhizome. It contains substances that perfectly stabilize the level of cholesterol in the blood.
• Fresh dandelion leaves should be added to soups and salads. In addition to the action on atherosclerotic plaques, they have joint protection and anti-anemic activity.
• You should drink special herbal tea. To prepare it, mix birch leaves (15 g), motherwort (15 g), Ivan tea (50 g) and St. John's wort (20 g). Take one tablespoon of the collection, pour boiling water (300 ml) and let it brew for 20 minutes. Drink the indicated amount during the day.
• 20 minutes before meals, once a day you need to use 35 drops of tincture of elecampane diluted in water (100 ml). To prepare the infusion, you need to fill in 30 grams of the rhizome with vodka (300 ml) and send it to a dark place for 40 days.

In addition, to reduce the unpleasant sensations arising from the presence of hypoplasia of the right vertebral artery, it is necessary to include in the herbal preparations such plants as bedstraw, cinnamon, adonis, mistletoe, mint and lemon balm.

Emergency measures

Unfortunately, pharmacological treatment does not always produce results. Because of this, the anomaly can go into a severe stage. The result of hypoplasia of the right vertebral artery can be a cessation of blood flow to the brain and, as a result, a stroke or death.

This rarely happens. But, if preparations did not help the patient, then an operation will be shown to him, during which the lumen of the vessels will be expanded and special prostheses will be installed. There are two options:

• Stening. , , .
• Angioplasty. , . , , .

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Forecasts

It was said above that hypoplasia of the right vertebral artery requires a special approach to diagnosis and treatment. In any case, the prognosis cannot be unambiguous, since it depends on the presence of other diseases in humans, on the operation of compensation mechanisms, on the diameter of the vessel. There are many other important factors.

If the patient has no complaints about a significant deterioration in his health, then the doctor will characterize the prognosis as favorable.

But if there are signs indicating vertebral-basilar insufficiency, surgical intervention may be required. It is normal to experience fear with such a forecast, but you should not worry too much - the operation in the vast majority of cases gives good results.