Aortic ectasia: what is it, what are the symptoms and how to treat it

Content:

Aortic ectasia is characterized by a dilation of the aorta artery, which is the artery through which the heart pumps blood throughout the body. This condition is usually asymptomatic, being diagnosed, in most cases, by accident.

Aortic ectasia can be abdominal or thoracic, depending on its location, and can progress to an aortic aneurysm, when it exceeds 50% of its initial diameter. Learn what it is and what are the symptoms of aortic aneurysm .

Treatment is not always necessary, but usually involves surgery to repair the aorta and insert a synthetic graft.

Possible causes

The causes of aortic ectasia are still not known for sure, but it is thought that it may be related to genetic factors and age, since the diameter of the aorta increases in some people around 60 years of age. age.

In addition, other causes that increase the risk of developing aortic ectasia are suffering from atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, aortic stenosis or genetic disorders related to connective tissue such as Turner Syndrome, Marfan Syndrome or Ehlers-Ehlers Syndrome. Danlos.

what are the symptoms

Generally, aortic ectasia is asymptomatic, however, in some cases, it can generate symptoms that depend on the location of the ectasia. If it is an abdominal aortic ectasia, the person may feel a slight pulsation in the abdominal area, back pain and chest pain. 

In the case of thoracic ectasia, symptoms such as coughing, difficulty swallowing and hoarseness may occur.

What does the diagnosis consist of?

In most cases, as aortic stenosis causes no symptoms, it is discovered accidentally through a diagnostic test such as an echocardiogram, CT scan or MRI, for example.

How is the treatment done?

Treatment is not always necessary and, in some cases, regular monitoring should only be carried out to see if the diameter of the aorta increases in size. In these cases, the doctor may prescribe medication to reduce pressure in the aorta, such as antihypertensive drugs or cholesterol-lowering drugs.

However, if the doctor notices that the diameter is increasing in size or if the person has symptoms, it may be necessary to resort to surgery, which consists of inserting a synthetic tube into the aorta.

Also watch the following video, and learn how to control blood pressure to prevent the development of cardiovascular diseases: