A dissecting aneurysm is when the inner wall of an artery tears, allowing blood to leak into the middle layer. There are two types, with type A being the most deadly. High blood pressure and trauma can cause this condition, and symptoms include shortness of breath and chest pain. Treatment involves surgery and medication.
Also known as an aortic dissection, a dissecting aneurysm is a situation in which the inner wall of an artery has expanded and begun to tear. This allows blood to leak into the middle layer, or section, of the aorta. As a result, the middle and inner layers begin to separate or dissect, effectively widening the gap and compromising artery function. If left unchecked, the collected blood will eventually cause the outer wall of the artery to rupture. Although relatively rare, this type of aneurysm requires immediate medical attention.
Two different classes of dissecting aneurysm are currently recognized. A type A dissecting aortic aneurysm is the most common example, as well as the most deadly. With this type, the tear forms where the aorta exits the heart, or starts in the upper section of the artery and extends down into the lower section that extends into the abdomen. Type B aneurysm dissection is focused solely on a tear that develops in the section of the artery that travels to the abdominal area. While less dangerous than a type A situation, a type B aneurysm is still very dangerous and should be treated as soon as possible.
There are several reasons why a dissecting aneurysm can develop. One has to do with blood pressure. When high blood pressure occurs over a long period of time, it can begin to weaken the walls of the aorta, making the possibility of tears much more likely. Certain types of trauma to the midsection of the body can also result in a dissecting abdominal aneurysm, which is essentially a situation where the rupturing action has become so severe that damage is progressing into the abdominal cavity. There is also some evidence that this condition may be caused by Marfin syndrome, although the odds are slim.
The symptoms associated with a dissecting aneurysm are no different from those associated with any type of heart problem. Shortness of breath and feeling weak are two common symptoms. Individuals may also find that they feel faint more often, sometimes to the point of fainting. As the tearing of the artery wall continues, there is often a lot of pain in the chest and upper back that seems to travel up the back and into the pelvic region.
Surgery and medications are the current treatments used to effectively address a dissecting aneurysm. For type B aneurysm patients, there’s a good chance that medications, along with some lifestyle changes, can prevent further tears and allow the body to repair existing damage. However, a type A aneurysm will require surgery which often involves removing the damaged section of the artery and rebuilding the section with the use of plastic or metal grafts. Typically, medications are used as a follow-up to surgery, both to relieve pain and to help the body adjust to the materials used in the rebuilding process.
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