Aortic aneurysm: Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
 
No edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Infobox_Disease
{{Template:Aortic aneurysm}}
| Name          = {{PAGENAME}}
 
| Image          = Aortic aneurysm 22.jpg
| Caption        = Atherosclerotic Aneurysm: Gross, an excellent example, natural color, external view of typical thoracic aortic aneurysms <br> <small> [http://www.peir.net Image courtesy of Professor Peter Anderson DVM PhD and published with permission © PEIR, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Pathology] </small>
| DiseasesDB    = 792
| DiseasesDB_mult = {{DiseasesDB2|823}} {{DiseasesDB2|805}}  
| ICD10          = {{ICD10|I|71||i|70}}
| ICD9          = {{ICD9|441}}
| ICDO          =
| OMIM          = 100070
| MedlinePlus    =
| eMedicineSubj  = emerg
| eMedicineTopic = 942
| eMedicine_mult = {{eMedicine2|med|2783}} {{eMedicine2|emerg|27}}  {{eMedicine2|radio|1}} {{eMedicine2|med|3443}}
| MeshID        = D001014
}}
{{SI}}
{{SI}}
{{WikiDoc Cardiology Network Infobox}}
{{WikiDoc Cardiology Network Infobox}}
Line 23: Line 9:
{{Editor Join}}
{{Editor Join}}


An '''aortic aneurysm''' is a general term for any swelling ('''dilatation''' or [[aneurysm]]) of the [[aorta]], usually representing an underlying weakness in the wall of the aorta at that location. While the stretched vessel may occasionally cause discomfort, a greater concern is the risk of '''rupture''' which causes severe pain, massive internal [[hemorrhage]] and, without prompt treatment, results in a quick death. Aneurysms often  are a source of blood clots ([[embolus|emboli]]) stemming from the most common etiology of atherosclerosis.
==[[Aortic aneurysm overview|Overview]]==


==Pathology==
==Pathology==
Line 35: Line 21:
===Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm===
===Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm===


*Thoracic aortic aneurysm represents aneurysmal dilatation of ascending, arch, or descending thoracic aorta.
===Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm===<
*Aneurysm is defined as a '''localized or diffuse dilatation of more than 50% normal diameter of the aorta.'''
*Atherosclerosis or connective tissue disorders may be contributing underlying disorders that facilitate aortic dilatation.
 
*Frequently associated factors include:
**Advanced age
**[[Hypertension]]
**Smoking
**Atherosclerosis
**[[Aortic dissection]]
**Cystic medial necrosis ([[Marfan syndrome]], [[Ehlers-Danlos syndrome]])
**[[Syphilis]]
 
*Thoracic aneurysms are classified by the portion of aorta involved: the ascending thoracic aorta, the arch, or the descending thoracic aorta. This anatomic distinction is important because the etiology, natural history, and treatment of thoracic aneurysms vary for each of these segments.
*Aneurysms of the [[descending aorta]] are most common, followed by aneurysms of the [[ascending aorta]], whereas arch aneurysms occur less often.
*Descending aortic thoracic aneurysms may extend distally to involve the [[abdominal aorta]] and create a thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm.
*Thoracic aortic aneurysms are less common than [[abdominal aortic aneurysm]]s.
 
<div align="left">
<gallery heights="175" widths="175">
Image:Traumatic Aneurysm 1.jpg|Traumatic Aneurysm
</gallery>
</div>
 
*Complications:
**Aortic rupture
**[[Aortic dissection]]
 
<div align="left">
<gallery heights="175" widths="175">
Image:Ruptured aneurysm with flap 1.jpg|Aneurysm, Dissection of Aorta, 55 yo patient with Hypertension; Intimal Flap at Arrow with Ascending Dissection (MRI)
Image:Aortic rupture with pseudoaneurysm formation 1.jpg|Another patient with Aortic Rupture. Patient is 65 year old female status post MVA. 1. Aortic rupture with pseudoaneurysm formation in the descending thoracic aorta immediately imferior to the origin of the left subclavian artery and surrounding mediastinal hematoma. 2. Aortic intimal flap at the anterior medial aspect of the descending thoracic aorta.
</gallery>
</div>
 
 
 
<div align="left">
<gallery heights="175" widths="175">
Image:Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm 0001.jpg|Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Image:Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm 0002.jpg|Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
</gallery>
</div>
 
 
 
<div align="left">
<gallery heights="175" widths="175">
Image:Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm 0003.jpg|Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Image:Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm 0004.jpg|Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
</gallery>
</div>
 
 
 
<div align="left">
<gallery heights="175" widths="175">
Image:Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm 0005.jpg|Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Image:Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm 0006.jpg|Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
</gallery>
</div>
 
 
 
<div align="left">
<gallery heights="175" widths="175">
Image:Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm 0007.jpg|Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Image:Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm 0008.jpg|Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
</gallery>
</div>
 
===Additional Examples===
Images shown below are courtesy of RadsWiki and copylefted
<div align="left">
<gallery heights="125" widths="125">
Image:Thoracic-aortic-aneurysm-001.jpg|Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm
Image:Thoracic-aortic-aneurysm-002.jpg|Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm
</gallery>
</div>
 
===Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm===<!-- This section is linked from [[List of medical abbreviations]] -->
{{main|Abdominal aortic aneurysm}}
Aortic aneurysms, hereafter referred to as AAAs, are more common in the abdominal aorta. One reason for this is that [[elastin]], the principal load bearing protein present in the wall of the aorta, is reduced in the [[abdominal aorta]] as compared to the thoracic aorta (nearer the heart). Another is that the abdominal aorta does not possess [[vasa vasorum]], hindering repair. Most are ''true aneurysms'' that involve all three layers ([[tunica intima]], [[tunica media]] and [[tunica adventitia]]), and are generally asymptomatic before rupture.
 
The prevalence of AAAs increases with age, with an average age of 65-70 at the time of diagnosis. AAAs have been attributed to [[atherosclerosis]], though other factors are involved in their formation.
 
An AAA may remain asymptomatic indefinitely. There is a large risk of rupture once the size has reached 5 cm, though some AAAs may swell to over 15 cm in diameter before rupturing. Before rupture, an AAA may present as a large, pulsatile mass above the [[umbilicus]]. A [[bruit]] may be heard from the turbulent flow in a severe atherosclerotic aneurysm or if thombosis occurs. Unfortunately, however, rupture is usually the first hint of AAA. Once an aneurysm has ruptured, it presents with a classic [[Pain and nociception|pain]]-[[hypotension]]-mass triad. The pain is classically reported in the abdomen, back or flank. It is usually acute, severe and constant, and may radiate through the abdomen to the back.
 
The diagnosis of an abdominal aortic aneurysm can be confirmed at the bedside by the use of [[medical ultrasonography|ultrasound]].  Rupture could be indicated by the presence of free fluid in potential abdominal spaces, such as [[Morrison's pouch]], the splenorenal space, subdiaphragmatic spaces and peri-vesical spaces. A contrast-enhanced abdominal [[computed tomography|CT scan]] is needed for confirmation.
 
Only 10-25% of patients survive rupture due to large pre and post-operative mortality. Annual mortality from ruptured abdominal aneurysms in the United States alone is about 15 000. Another important complication of AAA is formation of a [[thrombus]] in the aneurysm.
 
===Examples===
Images shown below are courtesy of RadsWiki and copylefted
 
<div align="left">
<gallery heights="175" widths="175">
Image:Abdominal aortic aneurysm 001.jpg|CT: a large abdominal aortic aneurysm
Image:Abdominal aortic aneurysm 002.jpg|CT: a large abdominal aortic aneurysm
Image:Abdominal aortic aneurysm 003.jpg|CT: a large abdominal aortic aneurysm
</gallery>
</div>
 
 
<div align="left">
<gallery heights="175" widths="175">
Image:Abdominal aortic aneurysm 101.jpg|CT: a large abdominal aortic aneurysm
Image:Abdominal aortic aneurysm 102.jpg|CT: a large abdominal aortic aneurysm
</gallery>
</div>
 
 
<div align="left">
<gallery heights="175" widths="175">
Image:Abdominal aortic aneurysm 103.jpg|CT: a large abdominal aortic aneurysm
Image:Abdominal aortic aneurysm 104.jpg|CT: a large abdominal aortic aneurysm
</gallery>
</div>
 
 
<div align="left">
<gallery heights="175" widths="175">
Image:Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm 001.jpg|Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm
Image:Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm 002.jpg|Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm
Image:Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm 003.jpg|Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm
</gallery>
</div>


==Screening==
==Screening==
Line 167: Line 27:


==Medical Treatment==
==Medical Treatment==
Medical therapy of aortic aneurysms involves strict [[blood pressure]] control. This does not treat the aortic aneurysm per se, but control of [[hypertension]] within tight blood pressure parameters may decrease the rate of expansion of the aneurysm.


==Surgical Treatment==
==Surgical Treatment==
The definitive treatment for an aortic aneurysm is surgical repair of the aorta. This typically involves opening up of the dilated portion of the aorta and insertion of a synthetic (Dacron or Gore-tex) patch tube. Once the tube is sewn into the proximal and distal portions of the aorta, the aneurysmal sac is closed around the artificial tube. Instead of sewing, the tube ends, made rigid and expandable by nitinol wireframe, can be much more simply and quickly inserted into the vascular stumps and there permanently fixed by external ligature[http://www.fondazionecarrel.org/sp/sp.html] 
The determination of when surgery should be performed is complex and case-specific. The overriding consideration is when the risk of rupture exceeds the risk of surgery. The diameter of the aneurysm, its rate of growth, the presence or absence of [[Marfan Syndrome]] or similar connective tissue disorders, and other coexisting medical conditions are all important factors in the determination.
A rapidly expanding aneurysm should be operated on as soon as feasible, since it has a greater chance of rupture. Slowly expanding aortic aneurysms may be followed by routine diagnostic testing (i.e.: [[CT scan]] or [[ultrasound]] imaging). If the aortic aneurysm grows at a rate of more than 1 cm/year, surgical treatment should be electively performed.
The current treatment guidelines for abdominal aortic aneurysms suggest elective surgical repair when the diameter of the aneurysm is greater than 5 cm. However, recent data suggests medical management for abdominal aneurysms with a diameter of less than 5.5 cm.<ref>Mortality results for randomised controlled trial of early elective surgery or ultrasonographic surveillance for small abdominal aortic aneurysms. The UK Small Aneurysm Trial Participants. Lancet. 1998 Nov 21;352(9141):1649-55. ([http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=9853436 Medline abstract])</ref>


===Endovascular treatment of AAA===
===Endovascular treatment of AAA===

Revision as of 17:24, 13 July 2011

Aortic aneurysm Microchapters

Home

Patient Information

Overview

Historical Perspective

Classification

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating aortic aneurysm from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Screening

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms

Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

Electrocardiogram

Chest X Ray

CT

MRI

Echocardiography or Ultrasound

Other Imaging Findings

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Surgery

Endovascular treatment of AAA

Prevention

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy

Future or Investigational Therapies

Aortic aneurysm On the Web

Most recent articles

Most cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

Powerpoint slides

Images

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Aortic aneurysm

CDC on Aortic aneurysm

Aortic aneurysm in the news

Blogs on Aortic aneurysm

Directions to Hospitals Treating Aortic aneurysm

Risk calculators and risk factors for Aortic aneurysm

WikiDoc Resources for Aortic aneurysm

Articles

Most recent articles on Aortic aneurysm

Most cited articles on Aortic aneurysm

Review articles on Aortic aneurysm

Articles on Aortic aneurysm in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ

Media

Powerpoint slides on Aortic aneurysm

Images of Aortic aneurysm

Photos of Aortic aneurysm

Podcasts & MP3s on Aortic aneurysm

Videos on Aortic aneurysm

Evidence Based Medicine

Cochrane Collaboration on Aortic aneurysm

Bandolier on Aortic aneurysm

TRIP on Aortic aneurysm

Clinical Trials

Ongoing Trials on Aortic aneurysm at Clinical Trials.gov

Trial results on Aortic aneurysm

Clinical Trials on Aortic aneurysm at Google

Guidelines / Policies / Govt

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Aortic aneurysm

NICE Guidance on Aortic aneurysm

NHS PRODIGY Guidance

FDA on Aortic aneurysm

CDC on Aortic aneurysm

Books

Books on Aortic aneurysm

News

Aortic aneurysm in the news

Be alerted to news on Aortic aneurysm

News trends on Aortic aneurysm

Commentary

Blogs on Aortic aneurysm

Definitions

Definitions of Aortic aneurysm

Patient Resources / Community

Patient resources on Aortic aneurysm

Discussion groups on Aortic aneurysm

Patient Handouts on Aortic aneurysm

Directions to Hospitals Treating Aortic aneurysm

Risk calculators and risk factors for Aortic aneurysm

Healthcare Provider Resources

Symptoms of Aortic aneurysm

Causes & Risk Factors for Aortic aneurysm

Diagnostic studies for Aortic aneurysm

Treatment of Aortic aneurysm

Continuing Medical Education (CME)

CME Programs on Aortic aneurysm

International

Aortic aneurysm en Espanol

Aortic aneurysm en Francais

Business

Aortic aneurysm in the Marketplace

Patents on Aortic aneurysm

Experimental / Informatics

List of terms related to Aortic aneurysm

Cardiology Network

Discuss Aortic aneurysm further in the WikiDoc Cardiology Network
Adult Congenital
Biomarkers
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Congestive Heart Failure
CT Angiography
Echocardiography
Electrophysiology
Cardiology General
Genetics
Health Economics
Hypertension
Interventional Cardiology
MRI
Nuclear Cardiology
Peripheral Arterial Disease
Prevention
Public Policy
Pulmonary Embolism
Stable Angina
Valvular Heart Disease
Vascular Medicine

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]

Please Join in Editing This Page and Apply to be an Editor-In-Chief for this topic: There can be one or more than one Editor-In-Chief. You may also apply to be an Associate Editor-In-Chief of one of the subtopics below. Please mail us [3] to indicate your interest in serving either as an Editor-In-Chief of the entire topic or as an Associate Editor-In-Chief for a subtopic. Please be sure to attach your CV and or biographical sketch.

Overview

Pathology

The physical change in the aortic diameter can occur secondary to an intrinsic defect in the protein construction of the aortic wall, trauma, infection, or due to progressive destruction of aortic proteins by enzymes.

Signs, symptoms and diagnosis

Most intact aortic aneurysms do not produce symptoms. As they enlarge, symptoms such as abdominal pain and back pain may develop. Compression of nerve roots may cause leg pain or numbness. Untreated, aneurysms tend to become progressively larger, although the rate of enlargement is unpredictable for any individual. Rarely, clotted blood which lines most aortic aneurysms can break off and result in an embolus. They may be found on physical examination. Medical imaging is necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm

===Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm===<

Screening

Medical Treatment

Surgical Treatment

Endovascular treatment of AAA

In the recent years, the endoluminal treatment of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative to open surgery repair. The first endoluminal exclusion of an aneurysm took place in Argentina by Dr. Parodi and his colleagues in 1991. The endovascular treatment of aortic aneurysms involves the placement of an endo-vascular stent via a percutaneous technique (usually through the femoral arteries) into the diseased portion of the aorta. This technique has been reported to have a lower mortality rate compared to open surgical repair, and is now being widely used in individuals with co-morbid conditions that make them high risk patients for open surgery. Some centers also report very promising results for the specific method in patients that do not constitute a high surgical risk group.

There have also been many reports concerning the endovascular treatment of ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms, which are usually treated with an open surgery repair due to the patient's impaired overall condition. Mid-term results have been quite promising. However, according to the latest studies, the EVAR procedure doesn't carry any overall survival benefit. [1]

Endovascular treatment of other aortic aneurysms

The endoluminal exclusion of aortic aneurysms has seen a real revolution in the very recent years. It is now possible to treat thoracic aortic aneurysms, abdominal aortic aneurysms (please see above) and other aneurysms in most of the body's major arteries (such as the iliac and the femoral arteries) using endovascular stents and avoiding big incisions. Still, in most cases the technique is applied in patients at high risk for surgery as more trials are required in order to fully accept this method as the gold standard for the treatment of aneurysms.[2]

Complications of Endovascular Treatment

Endoleak

  • Endoleak is a complication of endovascular aneurysm repair.
  • The endoleaks may continue to perfuse and pressurize the aneurysm sac, thereby conferring an ongoing risk of aneursym enlargement and/or rupture.
  • Endoleaks are classified by the source of blood flow, and organized into five categories.[3] [4]
  • I: Attachment site leaks
  • II: Collateral vessel leaks
  • III: Graft failure (i.e. midgraft hole, junctional leak or disconnect)
  • IV: Graft wall porosity
  • V: Endotension (with or without endoleak)

Images shown below are courtesy of RadsWiki and copylefted

Prevention

Attention to patient's general blood pressure, smoking and cholesterol risks helps reduce the risk on an individual basis. There have been proposals to introduce ultrasound scans as a screening tool for those most at risk: men over the age of 65.[5] [6]. The tetracycline antibiotic Doxycycline is currently being investigated for use as a potential drug in the prevention of aortic aneurysm due to its metalloproteinase inhibitor and collagen stabilizing properties.

Research

Stanford University is conducting research to gather information on AAA risk factors, and to evaluate the effectiveness of an exercise program at preventing the growth of small AAAs in older individuals. [4]

See Also

Videos on Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

<youtube v=Sb1bM8MnpRk/>


<youtube v=9XPPbWsrtRA/>


<youtube v=ovGI2fYc_U8/>


Pathological Findings

Images shown below are courtesy of Professor Peter Anderson DVM PhD and published with permission © PEIR, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Pathology






















References

  1. Rutherford RB.: Randomized EVAR Trials and Advent of Level I Evidence: A Paradigm Shift in Management of Large Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms? (abstract) Semin Vasc Surg. 2006 Jun;19(2):69-74. PMID: 16782510
  2. Saratzis N, Melas N, Lazaridis J, Ginis G, Antonitsis P, Lykopoulos D, Lioupis A, Gitas C, Kiskinis D. Endovascular AAA repair with the aortomonoiliac EndoFit stent-graft: two years' experience. J Endovasc Ther. 2005 Jun;12(3):280-7
  3. Baum, Richard A., Stavropoulos, S. William, Fairman, Ronald M., Carpenter, Jeffrey P. Endoleaks after Endovascular Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms. J Vasc Interv Radiol 2003 14: 1111-1117.
  4. Stavropoulos, S. William, Clark, Timothy W.I., Carpenter, Jeffrey P., Fairman, Ronald M., Litt, Harold, Velazquez, Omaida C., Insko, Erik, Farner, Michael, Baum, Richard A. Use of CT Angiography to Classify Endoleaks after Endovascular Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms. J Vasc Interv Radiol 2005 16: 663-667.
  5. Routine screening in the management of AAA, UK Department of Health study Report
  6. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm screening, a review by Bandolier, a UK independent source of evidence-based healthcare information for both healthcare professionals and consumers. Bandolier 27-3 Article

Template:SIB it:Aneurisma aortico fi:Aortta-aneurysma


Template:WikiDoc Sources