It is possible for any individual to die from an aortic aneurysm if untreated or if there is a delay in the treatment even after detecting its presence. In other cases, when there is a rupture of an aneurysm, the risk associated with the same is high, and the only way to cure the same is by choosing between open or endovascular repair surgery. Nonetheless, operations too have complications, and the patient can end up dying.
Possessing knowledge about an aortic aneurysm will be helpful for any individual to prevent death. An aneurysm is a condition where there is a development of swelling caused due to weakness in the wall of the aorta. The protrusion ventures into the surrounding areas and prevents the flow of the blood to other organs. With increasing pressure from the blood flow, an aneurysm can see a breakage. The rupture will cause the blood from the aorta to flow into the surroundings leading to the death of the individual.
Early Diagnosis
Diagnosis is the first place that helps in opting an appropriate treatment for an aortic aneurysm. The advancement in the medical field is providing the opportunity for doctors to identify an aortic aneurysm using non-invasive procedures. The results achieved are precise, and helps the doctor to arrive at a conclusive decision.
Diagnosis of an aorta aneurysm includes a blood test, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography scan, angiography, and x-ray. The results provide details related to the location, shape of an aneurysm, and the size. All the three a particular role in deciding whether an aneurysm is in the initial stage or advanced.
Symptoms of an aortic aneurysm
Unlike other diseases where it is possible to detect the case in the early stage because of the sentence, identifying an aortic aneurysm is difficult because it does not display any symptoms. The person experiences the pain along with other signs only if there is a rupture. The following are some of the common signs:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Pain in the abdominal region
- Pain in the chest region.
Treatment
Upon noticing the symptoms as explained above, an individual can reach out to their doctor and seek medical aid. Depending on the inspection results, the doctor will confirm the presence of an aorta aneurysm. If left untreated, the individual dies before reaching the hospital.
Generally, the doctor considers the symptoms along with other factors such as the gender, race, age, risk factors associated with surgery/treatment, and overall health along with the current value of the blood pressure and smoking habits. Both hypertension and use of tobacco products elevate the chances of rupturing an aneurysm. It also depends on the size of an aneurysm. For instance, the doctor will place the individual under observation if the diametrical size of an aneurysm is below 5 centimeters. In this case, he will choose medicines along with a change in the diet that helps in bringing down the hypertension value. The doctor will also offer reference to a therapist who will help in procedures that aid in quitting smoking.
If the size of an aneurysm is about 5 centimeters or there is a rupture, the doctor prefers an immediate surgery. The surgery includes open repair or endovascular repair. The open repair surgery comprises placing a metal clip while the endovascular repair includes extraction of the infected region and cover it with a catheter tube that will act as a diversion to the blood flow.
Also Read:
