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Dissecting Thoracic Aneurysm
The aorta is the largest artery in the body. This vessel originates at the heart, it has arterial branches to the neck sand upper extremities, and also supplies oxygenated blood to the lower torso and legs. Acute thoracic dissection of the aorta represents the most common catastrophe involving the aorta. In (thoracic) aortic dissection, the wall of the aorta "tears", along the long axis of the vessel in a portion of the aorta that is within the confines of the thorax. The tearing occurs at a previously weakened layer in the lining of the aorta. Atherosclerosis leads to aortic wall weakening and is the main factor that leads to dissection. Aortic dissection affects 5-10 patients per million each year and is 2-3 times more common than abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture. Men are more commonly affected than women and the majority of patients have a history of hypertension. Common symptoms include a severe pain in the chest or upper back of sudden onset and short duration. Some patients can also manifest with acute stroke or congestive heart failure. Evaluation will include CXR, and EKG to exclude the possibility of a myocardial infarction (heart attack). Aortic dissection can be diagnosed using arteriography (injecting radiopaque contrast dye into the aorta before performing conventional x-rays) or with CT scanning of the chest. Treatment involves emergency surgical repair of the aorta. Some types of acute dissection may be managed with medications versus surgery. Untreated, aortic dissection is lethal. The mortality rate is 28% at 24 hours, 50% at 48 hours, 70% in one week, and 90% in 3 months.
Hope this article will provide you information about dissecting thoracic aneurysm.
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