Abstract:

An aortic aneurysm is a pathological dilation of the aorta, the major blood vessel supplying blood to the body, which can lead to life-threatening complications if it ruptures. These aneurysms are typically classified based on their location—either thoracic or abdominal—with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) being more common. Risk factors include age, smoking, hypertension, and genetic predisposition. Often asymptomatic until rupture, aortic aneurysms pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Advances in imaging techniques and surgical interventions, such as endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), have improved patient outcomes. This paper aims to explore the etiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic strategies, and management options for aortic aneurysms.

Introduction:

The aorta is the largest artery in the human body, responsible for transporting oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body. An aortic aneurysm occurs when a segment of the aorta becomes weakened and bulges outward, creating a potentially fatal condition if the aneurysm ruptures. Aortic aneurysms can develop in any part of the aorta but are most commonly found in the abdominal region. This condition often progresses silently and may only be detected incidentally or upon rupture, which carries a high mortality rate. Understanding the risk factors, pathophysiology, and modern approaches to diagnosis and treatment is crucial for reducing morbidity and mortality associated with this vascular disease.

Methods

The study or management of aortic aneurysms typically involves:

Imaging: Diagnostic methods include ultrasound (esp. abdominal aorta), CT angiography, MRI, and echocardiography.

Screening Programs: Targeted at high-risk populations (e.g., men >65, smokers).

Surgical Techniques:

a.   Open Surgical Repair (OSR)

b. Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR)

Results

Detection Rates: Increased through routine screening, particularly in abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA).

Outcomes:

a. EVAR is associated with lower perioperative mortality compared to OSR.

b. Long-term outcomes may favor OSR due to fewer reinterventions.

Survival Rates: Improve significantly with early detection and timely intervention.

Complications: Include rupture (high mortality), endoleaks post-EVAR, infection, thrombosis.

Discussion

Aortic aneurysms represent a critical vascular condition characterized by the abnormal dilation of the aorta, often progressing silently until rupture. The most common types are abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) and thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs). The risk of rupture increases with aneurysm size, growth rate, and presence of symptoms.

Key risk factors include advanced age, male sex, smoking, hypertension, and genetic disorders like Marfan or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. The pathogenesis involves chronic inflammation, extracellular matrix degradation, and weakening of the aortic wall.

Management strategies are primarily based on size thresholds and patient-specific risk factors. Elective repair is typically recommended for AAAs ≥5.5 cm or TAAs ≥6.0 cm, or earlier if symptomatic or rapidly expanding. Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has become the preferred method for suitable patients due to its lower perioperative risk, though it requires long-term surveillance for complications such as endoleaks. Open surgical repair remains the standard in complex or unsuitable anatomy.

Prevention through smoking cessation, blood pressure control, and screening programs, especially in high-risk populations, plays a vital role in reducing mortality. Continued research is needed to improve biomarker identification for rupture risk and to refine criteria for intervention.

       Treatment and Management

1. Monitoring: Small aneurysms may only require regular check-ups

2. Lifestyle changes: Quit smoking, control blood pressure and cholesterol

3. Medications: To lower blood pressure and reduce risk

      4. Surgery:

i.   Open surgical repair

ii.  Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) – less invasive

       Prevention

Regular screening for high-risk individuals

Control of blood pressure and cholesterol

Smoking cessation

Healthy diet and exercise

       Diagnosis

Ultrasound: Common for screening AAAs

CT scan / MRI: More accurate imaging for size and shape

Chest X-ray: May detect large TAAs

Physical exam: May detect a pulsatile abdominal mass

Conclusion

Aortic aneurysms are silent but potentially fatal conditions. Early detection through screening and proper management can significantly reduce complications. Awareness of risk factors, timely diagnosis, and advances in surgical techniques have improved the prognosis for many patients. Aortic aneurysms are a serious vascular condition characterized by the abnormal dilation of the aortic wall, most commonly affecting the abdominal or thoracic aorta. According to the Society for Vascular Surgery (Chaikof et al., 2018), management depends heavily on aneurysm size, growth rate, and symptom presence, with elective repair typically recommended for abdominal aneurysms exceeding 5.5 cm. Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has become a common treatment due to its minimally invasive nature and lower short-term risk compared to open surgical repair, although long-term follow-up is required due to potential complications like endoleaks (Moll et al., 2011). The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends one-time screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms in men aged 65 to 75 who have ever smoked, highlighting the importance of early detection in reducing rupture-related mortality. Risk factors include smoking, hypertension, male sex, and genetic conditions such as Marfan syndrome (CDC, 2023).

Reference

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