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According to the head of the Department of Vascular Surgery of the Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Clinic of Kaunas Clinics doc. Lino Velička, abdominal aortic aneurysm (or, in other words, dilated abdominal aorta) is one of the most insidious vascular diseases, usually developing without symptoms, but can be seen by ultrasound examination.
The disease is most often diagnosed in the elderly (over 55-60 years), men, smokers. Also, the risk of this disease increases with high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, atherosclerosis, heredity.
“Often the symptoms of this disease only occur when the aneurysm ruptures. About 50 to 60 percent, but up to 50 percent, of patients who undergo emergency surgery survive. patients who rupture aneurysms die anyway without reaching the hospital. For this reason, it is very important to detect an enlarged aneurysm in time, because it can save many lives ”, says vascular surgeon doctor doc. L. Velička.
The first symptoms that reveal a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm are sudden abdominal and back pain, a general weakness accompanied by shock. Sometimes a person can lose consciousness. “If the increased aneurysm is diagnosed early, elective surgery is performed, whose mortality reaches only 2-5 percent. It also reduces the probability of complications,” says the associate professor.
World Aorta Day was celebrated on September 25 this year. Doctors urge all people over the age of 60 to be screened for abdominal aortic aneurysm using an abdominal ultrasound.
This is particularly important in high-risk patients: male smokers between the ages of 55 and 60, with a family history of aortic aneurysm or other cardiovascular disease. Early diagnosis of the disease and timely surgery can save many lives.
