What is an aortic aneurysm of the heart
A pathological protrusion of the outer wall of the heart or the septum between the ventricles is called an aneurysm. Most often, the pathology appears on the left ventricle and is accompanied by a sharp decrease in the contractility of the damaged area. Aneurysm occurs much less often in the right ventricle. Pathology, as a rule, is diagnosed in men aged 40 to 70 years. The size of the aneurysm is from 1 to 10 cm. The symptoms and treatment of a heart aneurysm will be discussed later.
Myocardial infarction is the main cause of pathology. Since part of the heart muscle dies at the time of a heart attack, a scar forms in its place. In the area of dying, there is a strong thinning of the muscle, which does not allow it to contract normally. Since blood constantly presses on this area, sooner or later it begins to protrude outward.
Provocative factors of aneurysm of heart vessels:
- hypertension;
- heart failure;
- cardiosclerosis;
- operations on the heart;
- injuries, infection;
- systemic inflammatory diseases.
Causes of heart aneurysm in children: genetic mutations, hereditary syndromes, developmental anomalies, congenital weakness of connective tissue.
Heart aneurysm symptoms, classification
Pathology is classified according to various parameters: location, shape, mechanism of formation, size, time of appearance.
According to the time of occurrence, acute, chronic and subacute aneurysms are distinguished. Acute forms in the period from one to two weeks after myocardial infarction, subacute - during the first two months. The chronic form is an aneurysm that formed after 8 weeks.
By the formation mechanism:
- true aneurysm;
- false;
- functional.
Depending on the structure of the aneurysm wall, the ventricle of the heart can be: fibrous, muscular, fibromuscular.
Taking into account the shape of the aneurysm, diffuse, sac-shaped, mushroom-shaped and "aneurysm within an aneurysm" are distinguished.
. Clinical manifestations are very diverse and depend on the location, cause, shape and size. Symptoms of a heart aneurysm:
- palpitations and chest pain;
- disruption of heart rhythm;
- pale skin, shortness of breath;
- general weakness;
- cough.
Chest pain is the main symptom associated with impaired blood circulation. It manifests itself, as a rule, in the form of an attack.
Disruption of the rhythm usually occurs after physical exertion or emotional stress. It is manifested by an increase in the frequency (or slowing down) of the pulse or a feeling of short interruptions.
Shortness of breath with an aneurysm is associated with left ventricular failure.
The pallor of the skin is explained by insufficient contractility of the myocardium.
On our site https://dobrobut.com/ you will find more information, in particular, how dangerous a heart aneurysm is and what methods are used for the treatment of pathology.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis is made after a physical examination, taking into account the patient's complaints and the results of additional studies.
Chronic aneurysm of the heart - additional examination methods:
- electrocardiography;
- echocardiography;
- X-ray;
- myocardial scintigraphy;
- MRI.
After a thorough study of the data, the doctor will prescribe treatment. Surgery for a heart aneurysm or a course of conservative therapy is a specialist's decision. General indications and contraindications for surgical intervention can be found on the clinic's website.
Operation for aortic aneurysm of the heart
For pathology, various surgical operations are performed, the methods of which depend on the clinical case. Intervention can be both palliative and radical.
Radical operations for aortic aneurysm of the heart: aneurysm resection, septoplasty according to Kula.
Drug treatment is prescribed for patients with serious contraindications to surgery. Medical therapy is aimed at preventing blood clots and reducing the load on the heart. For this purpose, the patient is prescribed thrombolytics, diuretics, organic nitrates, and beta-blockers.
The prognosis for a heart aneurysm is generally unfavorable and depends on many factors, such as the age of the patient, the location of the aneurysm, the rate of progression of the disease, the presence of chronic pathology in the patient, and its size. Surgical treatment will significantly improve the quality and life expectancy of the patient.
Make an appointment with a cardiologist and learn firsthand what an aortic aneurysm is. In the clinic, you can undergo a complete examination of the body with a detailed interpretation of the results.