Thoracic aortic aneurysm (patient information): Difference between revisions

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{{Thoracic aortic aneurysm (patient information)}}


'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Ventricular septal defect|here]]'''
'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Thoracic aortic aneurysm |here]]'''
 
{{CMG}}; '''Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief:''' [[Priyamvada Singh|Priyamvada Singh]], [[M.B.B.S]] [mailto:psingh13579@gmail.com]; '''Assistant Editor(s)-In-Chief:''' [[Kristin Feeney|Kristin Feeney]], [[B.S.]] [mailto:kfeeney@elon.edu]


{{CMG}}; '''Associate Editor-In-Chief:''' [[Priyamvada Singh|Priyamvada Singh]], [[M.B.B.S]] [mailto:psingh@perfuse.org]; '''Assistant Editor-In-Chief:''' [[Kristin Feeney|Kristin Feeney]], [[B.S.]] [mailto:kfeeney@perfuse.org]
==Overview==
==Overview==
A thoracic aortic aneurysm occurs in the part of the body's largest artery (the aorta) that passes through the chest. An aneurysm is an abnormal widening or ballooning of a portion of an artery due to weakness in the wall of the blood vessel.
A thoracic aortic aneurysm occurs in the part of the body's largest artery (the aorta) that passes through the chest. An aneurysm is an abnormal widening or ballooning of a portion of an artery due to weakness in the wall of the blood vessel.


==What are the symptoms of a thoracic aortic aneurysm?==
==What are the symptoms of a Thoracic aortic aneurysm?==
Aneurysms develop slowly over many years. Most patients have no symptoms until the aneurysm begins to leak or expand. Chest or back pain may mean sudden widening or leakage of the aneurysm.
Aneurysms develop slowly over many years. Most patients have no symptoms until the aneurysm begins to leak or expand. Chest or back pain may mean sudden widening or leakage of the aneurysm.
Symptoms often begin suddenly when:
Symptoms often begin suddenly when:
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*Blood leaks along the wall of the aorta ([[aortic dissection]])
*Blood leaks along the wall of the aorta ([[aortic dissection]])
If the aneurysm presses on nearby structures, the following symptoms may occur:
If the aneurysm presses on nearby structures, the following symptoms may occur:
*Hoarseness
*[[Hoarseness]]
*Swallowing problems
*[[Swallowing problems]]
*High-pitched breathing ([[stridor]])
*[[High-pitched breathing]] ([[stridor]])
*Swelling in the neck
*Swelling in the neck
Other symptoms may include:
Other symptoms may include:
*Chest or back pain
*[[Chest pain]] and / or [[back pain]]
*Clammy skin
*[[Clammy skin]]
*[[Nausea and vomiting]]
*[[Nausea and vomiting]]
*[[Rapid heart rate]]
*[[Rapid heart rate]]
*[[Low blood pressure]]
*[[Low blood pressure]]


==What causes a thoracic aortic aneurysm?==
==What causes Thoracic aortic aneurysm?==
The most common cause of a thoracic aortic aneurysm is hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). This condition is more common in people with high cholesterol, long-term high blood pressure, or who smoke.
The most common cause of a thoracic aortic aneurysm is hardening of the arteries ([[atherosclerosis]]). This condition is more common in people with [[high cholesterol]], long-term [[high blood pressure]], or who [[smoke]].
Other risk factors for a thoracic aneurysm include:
Other risk factors for a thoracic aneurysm include:
*[[Connective tissue disorders]] such as [[Marfan syndrome]]
*[[Connective tissue disorders]] such as [[Marfan syndrome]]
*Inflammation of the aorta
*Inflammation of the aorta
*[[Syphilis]]
*[[Syphilis]]
*Trauma such as falls or motor vehicle accidents
*[[Trauma]] such as falls or motor vehicle accidents


==Possible complications==
==When to seek urgent medical care?==
Serious complications after aortic surgery can include:
Tell your doctor if you have:
*[[Bleeding]]
*A family history of [[connective tissue disorders]]
*Graft infection
*[[Chest pain]] or back discomfort
*[[Heart attack]]
*[[Irregular heartbeat]]
*Kidney damage
*[[Paralysis]]
*[[Stroke]]
Death soon after the operation occurs in 5 - 10% of patients. Complications after aneurysm stenting include damage to the leg, which may require another operation.


==Treatment options==
==Treatment options==
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For patients with aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta:
For patients with aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta:
*Majory surgery is done to replace the aorta with a fabric graft if the aneurysm is larger than 6 centimeters.
*Majory surgery is done to replace the aorta with a fabric graft if the aneurysm is larger than 6 centimeters.
*[[Endovascular stenting]] is a less invasive option. A stent is a tiny metal or plastic tube that is used to hold an artery open. Stents can be placed into the body without cutting the chest. Not all patients with descending thoracic aneurysms are candidates for stenting, however.
*[[Thoracic aortic aneurysm endovascular stent grafting|Endovascular stenting]] is a less invasive option. A stent is a tiny metal or plastic tube that is used to hold an artery open. Stents can be placed into the body without cutting the chest. Not all patients with descending thoracic aneurysms are candidates for stenting, however.


See also: [[endovascular surgery]]
See also: [[endovascular surgery]]


==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)==
==Where to find medical care for Thoracic aortic aneurysm?==
The long-term prognosis for patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm is determined by other medical problems such as heart disease and diabetes, which may have caused or contributed to the condition.
[http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Thoracic+aortic+aneurysms&hl=en&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=49.71116,73.212891&z=4 Directions to Hospitals Treating Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms]


==When to seek urgent medical care?==
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?==
Tell your doctor if you have:
The long-term prognosis for patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm is determined by other medical problems such as heart disease and [[diabetes]], which may have caused or contributed to the condition.
*A family history of [[connective tissue disorders]]
*Chest or back discomfort


==Where to find medical care for a thoracic aortic aneurysm==
==Possible complications==
[http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Thoracic+aortic+aneurysms&hl=en&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=49.71116,73.212891&z=4 Directions to Hospitals Treating Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms]
Serious complications after aortic surgery can include:
*[[Bleeding]]
*Graft infection
*[[Heart attack]]
*[[Irregular heartbeat]]
*[[Kidney damage]]
*[[Paralysis]]
*[[Stroke]]
Death soon after the operation occurs in 5 - 10% of patients. Complications after aneurysm stenting include damage to the leg, which may require another operation.


==Sources==
==Sources==
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001119.htm
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001119.htm
{{WH}}
{{WS}}


[[Category:Patient information]]
[[Category:Patient information]]
[[Category:Medicine]]
[[Category:Disease]]
[[Category:Cardiology]]
[[Category:Cardiology]]
[[Category:Vascular surgery]]
[[Category:Vascular surgery]]
[[Category:Emergency medicine]]
[[Category:Emergency medicine]]
[[Category:Cardiology patient information]]
[[Category:Emergency medicine patient information]]
{{WH}}
{{WS}}

Latest revision as of 16:47, 4 February 2013

Thoracic aortic aneurysm

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Who is at highest risk?

Diagnosis

When to seek urgent medical care?

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Thoracic aortic aneurysm?

Prevention

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Thoracic aortic aneurysm On the Web

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

Images of Thoracic aortic aneurysm

Videos on Thoracic aortic aneurysm

FDA on Thoracic aortic aneurysm

CDC on Thoracic aortic aneurysm

Thoracic aortic aneurysm in the news

Blogs on Thoracic aortic aneurysm

Directions to Hospitals Treating Thoracic aortic aneurysm

Risk calculators and risk factors for Thoracic aortic aneurysm

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S [2]; Assistant Editor(s)-In-Chief: Kristin Feeney, B.S. [3]

Overview

A thoracic aortic aneurysm occurs in the part of the body's largest artery (the aorta) that passes through the chest. An aneurysm is an abnormal widening or ballooning of a portion of an artery due to weakness in the wall of the blood vessel.

What are the symptoms of a Thoracic aortic aneurysm?

Aneurysms develop slowly over many years. Most patients have no symptoms until the aneurysm begins to leak or expand. Chest or back pain may mean sudden widening or leakage of the aneurysm. Symptoms often begin suddenly when:

If the aneurysm presses on nearby structures, the following symptoms may occur:

Other symptoms may include:

What causes Thoracic aortic aneurysm?

The most common cause of a thoracic aortic aneurysm is hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). This condition is more common in people with high cholesterol, long-term high blood pressure, or who smoke. Other risk factors for a thoracic aneurysm include:

When to seek urgent medical care?

Tell your doctor if you have:

Treatment options

The treatment depends on the location of the aneurysm. The aorta is made of three parts:

  • The first part moves upwards towards the head. It is called the ascending aorta.
  • The middle part is curved. It is called the aortic arch.
  • The last part moves downwards, toward the feet. It is called the descending aorta.

For patients with aneurysms of the ascending aorta or aortic arch:

  • Surgery to replace the aorta is recommended if an aneurysm is larger than 5 - 6 centimeters. The aorta is replaced with a plastic or fabric graft. This is major surgery that requires a heart-lung machine.

For patients with aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta:

  • Majory surgery is done to replace the aorta with a fabric graft if the aneurysm is larger than 6 centimeters.
  • Endovascular stenting is a less invasive option. A stent is a tiny metal or plastic tube that is used to hold an artery open. Stents can be placed into the body without cutting the chest. Not all patients with descending thoracic aneurysms are candidates for stenting, however.

See also: endovascular surgery

Where to find medical care for Thoracic aortic aneurysm?

Directions to Hospitals Treating Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

The long-term prognosis for patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm is determined by other medical problems such as heart disease and diabetes, which may have caused or contributed to the condition.

Possible complications

Serious complications after aortic surgery can include:

Death soon after the operation occurs in 5 - 10% of patients. Complications after aneurysm stenting include damage to the leg, which may require another operation.

Sources

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001119.htm Template:WH Template:WS