Aortic+Aneurism

=Aortic Aneurysm= Western Diagnosis Local dilation of the aorta can occur in a peripheral artery

Etiology
1. arteriosclerosis most common cause 2. hypertension, cigarette smoking 3. familial 4. trauma 5. arteritis 6. syphilis 7. Marfan’s syndrome

Signs and Symptoms
Depends on location - all may be asymptomatic a. 90% inferior to renal arteries b. deep, boring, steady, visceral pain c. wide abdominal aorta on palpation d. rupture is highly lethal: excruciating pain in abdominal and back; rapid hypovolemic shock and death; surgical emergency, 50% death a. 1/4 of all aortic aneurysms b. back pain c. other sx related to which structures affected d. cough, wheezing, hemoptysis, dysphagia, hoarse e. dissecting aneurysm i. tear in intima, rupture: commonly in ascending aorta and descending thoracic aorta; hypertension major risk factor; abrupt, excruciating, ripping pain
 * abdominal aorta**
 * thoracic aorta**

Diagnosis
1. x-ray 2. ultrasonography 3. CT scan 4. MRI

Treatment
1. surgical repair a. if good candidate, 2% mortality for abdominal b. 10-15% mortality for thoracic c. risks inc dramatically if complications of aneurysm