What is aortic dissecting aneurysm

The general public is relatively unfamiliar with aortic dissecting aneurysm, and even many patients do not know much about their disease. In fact, mastering the basic knowledge of aortic dissecting aneurysm can help patients better understand their condition and master the care precautions after treatment, which can help them recover faster and better.

1. What is aortic dissecting aneurysm?

The aorta is a pipe that originates from the heart and supplies blood to various tissues and organs throughout the body. The aorta wall is divided into three layers: inner, middle and outer. Normal human blood flows in the aorta lumen. When the inner layer of the aorta wall ruptures, blood flows into the middle or outer layer, and the aneurysm formed is called an aortic dissecting aneurysm. Aortic dissecting aneurysm is a rare fatal disease, and its occurrence is related to a variety of diseases. Hypertension is an important risk factor for aortic dissection. About 70% of patients have a history of hypertension, which may be related to the long-term stimulation of the aortic wall by high dynamic blood pressure, which keeps the aortic wall tension in a tense state.

2. What are the main manifestations of aortic dissecting aneurysm?

It often manifests as a sudden onset of severe chest or abdominal tearing pain, which may be accompanied by shock or coma. Some patients died from cardiac complications such as cardiac tamponade and arrhythmia during the acute phase (within 2 weeks). The peak age is 50 to 70 years old, and the incidence rate in men is higher than that in women.

3. What are the current methods for treating this disease?

Once the disease is suspected or confirmed, the patient should be hospitalized for monitoring and treatment. Lowering blood pressure with drugs is the first measure that should be taken. This can effectively stabilize or stop the continued separation of aortic dissection, relieve symptoms and eliminate pain.

Surgical treatment is divided into open surgery and minimally invasive interventional stent implantation. Different surgical methods are selected depending on the type and severity of the disease.

4. What is the prognosis? What issues should we pay attention to?

Most cases die within hours to days after onset, with an hourly mortality rate of 1% to 2% within the first 24 hours. Timely treatment can provide a better prognosis. Depending on the patient's condition, patients who undergo open surgery can generally get out of bed and move around after 5-7 days; patients who receive interventional treatment can get out of bed and move around on the same day. During the hospitalization and surgery, the patient consumes a lot of energy. After the operation, he or she will feel exhausted. This is normal and everyone will feel this way. As long as you are patient, the patient's mental state and physical fitness will gradually recover. 4-6 weeks after discharge, you can discuss the issue of returning to work with your doctor. Because each person's situation is different, physical fitness is different, and the working hours, tension level, and labor intensity are different, all these factors must be considered comprehensively. Working too early may affect long-term prognosis. Patients should consult and respect their doctor's advice before returning to work.

5. How to effectively prevent the occurrence of this disease?

Patients with hypertension should monitor changes in their blood pressure at least twice a day, adopt a healthy lifestyle, use medications rationally, control blood pressure within a normal range, appropriately limit physical activity, avoid excessive exercise that may induce disease, and have regular physical examinations.