Aortic Disease
Aortic disease refers to a group of disorders affecting the aorta, the largest artery in the body that carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body. The aorta starts at the heart’s left ventricle, ascends, arches, and descends through the chest (thoracic aorta) and abdomen (abdominal aorta). Diseases of the aorta can be life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated promptly.The most common types of aortic disease include aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, and aortic stenosis or coarctation. An aortic aneurysm is an abnormal dilation or ballooning of a portion of the aorta due to weakening of the vessel wall.
Aortic dissection occurs when there is a tear in the inner layer of the aorta, causing blood to flow between the layers of the wall and separate them. It is a medical emergency and can lead to rupture, stroke, or organ failure. Coarctation of the aorta is a congenital narrowing that obstructs blood flow, usually detected in infancy or childhood, but sometimes in adulthood.
Symptoms vary depending on the specific condition. Many aortic aneurysms are silent and found incidentally, but symptoms may include chest, back, or abdominal pain, a pulsating mass, or signs of rupture (severe pain, low blood pressure). Aortic dissection typically presents with sudden, severe chest or back pain, described as tearing or ripping.Diagnosis is made through imaging tests such as echocardiography, CT angiography, MRI, and chest X-rays. Treatment depends on the size and type of the disease and can range from medical management (controlling blood pressure) to surgical repair or endovascular stenting.