What is aneurysmal dilatation of the aorta?

Background: The aorta is considered pathologically dilated if the diameters of the ascending aorta and the aortic root exceed the norms for a given age and body size. A 50% increase over the normal diameter is considered aneurysmal dilatation.

What causes aneurysmal dilatation?

Plaque buildup on the artery walls causes the arteries to become less flexible. Additional pressure can cause the arteries to weaken and widen (dilate). High blood pressure and high cholesterol increase the risk of atherosclerosis. This is more common in older people.

Is aneurysmal dilatation an aneurysm?

Aneurysm is defined as dilatation of the aorta of greater than 150% of its normal diameter for a given segment. For the thoracic aorta, a diameter greater than 3.5 cm is generally considered dilated, whereas greater than 4.5 cm would be considered aneurysmal.

What size aortic aneurysm requires surgery?

If the aneurysm is more than 5.5 centimeters in size, or if it’s rapidly getting larger, your doctor may recommend surgery to repair the aneurysm.

How serious is a dilated aorta?

Otherwise known as an aortic root aneurysm, a dilated aortic root is when the first section of the aorta, where the aortic valve resides, becomes enlarged. When this enlargement reaches a critical size, there is a risk of it rupturing or tearing, leading to a life-threatening situation.

Can you live a long life with an aortic aneurysm?

Yes, you can live with an aortic aneurysm, and there are many ways to prevent dissection (splitting of the blood vessel wall that causes blood to leak) or worse, a rupture (a burst aneurysm). Some aortic aneurysms are hereditary or congenital, such as bicuspid aortic valve, infection or inflammatory conditions.

How long can you live with an aneurysm in your heart?

Median survival was 18 (range 1-90) months. Twenty (35 per cent) suffered rupture at a median interval of 18 (range 1-38) months. The risk of rupture within 3 years was 28 (95 per cent confidence interval 12-49) per cent for 5.0-5.9-cm AAAs and 41 (24-59) per cent for AAAs of 6 cm or greater.

Can a heart aneurysm go away?

Abdominal aortic aneurysms do not go away, so if you have a large one, you may need surgery. Surgery involves replacing the aneurysm with a man-made graft. Elective surgery, which is done before an aneurysm ruptures, has a success rate of more than 90 percent.