$Unique_ID{BRK01599}
$Pretitle{Circulatory System}
$Title{Ruptured Ascending Aortic Aneurysm}
$Subject{aorta aneurysm dissecting}
$Volume{G-4}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Ruptured Ascending Aortic Aneurysm


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QUESTION:  Can you provide info regarding ruptured ascending aortic aneurysm?
Since my father died of it last year, I had several people tell me their
fathers died of it too.  My father was an apparently healthy 56 year old man
who took good care of himself.  Anything you can tell me about this illness
would be helpful.  Thank you.

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ANSWER:  Aortic dissection is not a rare disease, for there are about 2000 new
cases diagnosed each year.  Men are affected about three times more frequently
than women, and the disease is seen most frequently between the ages of 50 and
70, so your Dad falls right into the averages.  Many of the patients with the
condition have atherosclerosis and hypertension, although it may occur when no
hypertension has been found.  An aneurysm is the dilatation of an artery due
to weakness and stretching of the artery wall forming a sac like structure.
This wall has three layers, and all three layers are involved in the formation
of the sac.  The most commonly accepted explanation of the formation of a
dissecting aneurysm is that a tear develops in the inner layer of the wall.
The pressure within the vessel, forces some of the blood into the tear and it
gradually works its way between two layers in a process known as "dissection".
The ascending aorta is the part of the aorta that starts at the heart (right
after the aortic valve and curves upward and around within the chest before it
turns downward leading to the abdomen and the rest of the body (descending
aorta).  This part of the aorta is the most common site for the origins of
dissecting aneurysms.  The aneurysm may be present for some time before the
dissection occurs, and can be totally without symptoms.  However when the
dissection begins, there is usually sharp pain.  When this occurs, it is
considered a true medical emergency for the possibility of death is quite
high.  At one time as many as 90 percent of the patients died.  Treatment must
start immediately with the goal of lowering the blood pressure and stabilizing
the patients condition.  When rupture occurs there may be a sudden drop of
blood pressure, in which case immediate surgical intervention is the only hope
to save the patients life.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
