How Is An Aortic Dissection Repair

Overview

An aortic dissection is a serious condition in which a tear occurs in the inner layer of the body'due south primary artery (aorta). Claret rushes through the tear, causing the inner and middle layers of the aorta to split (dissect). If the blood goes through the outside aortic wall, aortic dissection is often mortiferous.

Aortic dissection is relatively uncommon. It usually occurs in men in their 60s and 70s. Symptoms of aortic dissection may mimic those of other diseases, ofttimes leading to delays in diagnosis. However, when an aortic dissection is detected early and treated promptly, the take chances of survival profoundly improves.

Symptoms

Aortic autopsy symptoms may be like to those of other heart problems, such as a center set on. Typical signs and symptoms include:

Sudden severe chest or upper back pain, frequently described as a tearing or ripping sensation, that spreads to the cervix or down the back
Sudden severe tummy pain
Loss of consciousness
Shortness of breath
Symptoms similar to those of a stroke, including sudden vision bug, difficulty speaking, and weakness or loss of movement (paralysis) on one side of your body
Weak pulse in one arm or thigh compared with the other
Leg pain
Difficulty walking

When to see a md

If yous have severe chest hurting, fainting, sudden shortness of breath or symptoms of a stroke, call 911 or your local emergency number. These signs and symptoms aren't always due to a serious problem, but it'due south best to exist seen by a doctor quickly. Early detection and handling may help save your life.

Causes

An aortic dissection is caused past a weakened area of the aorta's wall.

Aortic dissections are divided into 2 groups, depending on which function of the aorta is affected:

Type A. This more than common and dangerous type involves a tear in the part of the aorta where it exits the middle. The tear may also occur in the upper aorta (ascending aorta), which may extend into the abdomen.
Type B. This blazon involves a tear in the lower aorta merely (descending aorta), which may likewise extend into the abdomen.

Risk factors

Some of the things that may raise your run a risk of aortic dissection include:

Uncontrolled loftier blood pressure (hypertension)
Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis)
Weakened and bulging artery (aortic aneurysm)
An aortic valve defect (bicuspid aortic valve)
A narrowing of the aorta at nascence (aortic coarctation)

Sure genetic diseases increase the risk of having an aortic dissection, including:

Turner syndrome. High blood pressure, centre problems and other health weather may result from this disorder.
Marfan syndrome. This is a condition in which connective tissue, which supports diverse structures in the body, is weak. People with this disorder often have a family history of aneurysms of the aorta and other blood vessels or family unit history of aortic dissections.
Other connective tissue disorders. This includes Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a group of connective tissue disorders that involve loose joints and delicate claret vessels and Loeys-Dietz syndrome, which causes twisted arteries, especially in the neck.

Inflammation of the arteries (giant jail cell arteritis) may also increment your risk of aortic dissection.

Other potential risk factors for aortic dissection include:

Sexual activity. Men are more likely to have aortic dissection than women.
Age. Aortic dissection is more than likely in people age 60 and older.
Cocaine use. This drug temporarily raises claret pressure.
Pregnancy. Infrequently, aortic dissections occur in otherwise healthy women during pregnancy.
Loftier-intensity weightlifting. This and other strenuous resistance training may raise your adventure of aortic dissection by increasing blood pressure level during the activity.

Complications

Possible complications of aortic autopsy include:

Death due to severe internal bleeding
Organ impairment, such equally kidney failure or life-threatening intestinal damage
Stroke
Aortic valve impairment (aortic regurgitation) or rupture into the lining around the heart (cardiac tamponade)

Prevention

You tin can reduce your risk of an aortic dissection past preventing chest injury and taking steps to go on your heart healthy.

Command blood pressure. If you lot have high blood pressure, get a home blood pressure measuring device to assistance y'all monitor your blood pressure.
Don't smoke. If you do smoke, take steps to stop.
Maintain an ideal weight. Follow a depression-table salt diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains and exercise regularly.
Wear a seat belt. This reduces the risk of breast injury during a car accident.
Work with your md. If you have a family history of aortic dissection, a connective tissue disorder or a bicuspid aortic valve, tell your dr.. If you lot have an aortic aneurysm, notice out how often you lot need monitoring and if surgery is necessary to repair your aneurysm.

If y'all take a genetic condition that increases your gamble of aortic dissection, your doctor may recommend medications, even if your blood pressure is normal.

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