Dissecting aortic aneurysm (tearing and dilation of the aorta)
About Dissecting aortic aneurysm (tearing and dilation of the aorta)
Occurs when the wall of the aorta becomes torn or divided and blood dissects between the layers of the blood vessel. The aorta is the largest artery in the body and it carries oxygenated blood away from the heart. As the vessel wall is damaged, the openings to other important arteries can become occluded causing strokes, heart attacks or other serious organ damage. The aorta can burst causing the patient to quickly bleed to death. Dissections are usually caused from atherosclerotic disease and high blood pressure or because of congenitally abnormal elastic tissue. The dissection can occur in the aorta in the chest (thoracic), in the abdominal aorta, or in both the chest and the abdomen.Symptoms
Chest pain that has a tearing quality and radiates to the back, shortness of breath, fainting, weakness, low blood pressure.Tests & Diagnostics
A history and physical exam will be performed. X-rays cannot accurately diagnose the dissection. A chest CT scan or a special MRI (called a magnetic resonance angiogram, or MRA) and an echocardiogram are the best diagnostic studies.Common tests: Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, EKG, MRI, Troponin, X-ray.
Conventional treatment summary
If the dissection involves the first part of the aorta in the chest surgery is usually required. If only the latter portion of the aorta is involved, aggressive blood pressure control is the treatment of choice. Surgery is also performed if important blood vessels supplying important organs are blocked or if the dissection is expanding or the aorta is enlarging.Medical specialties
Cardiothoracic Surgery · Vascular Surgery
This page is educational content, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment of Dissecting aortic aneurysm (tearing and dilation of the aorta).