What is a Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm?

The thorax is the chest cavity, and when an aneurysm forms, there are often no symptoms; however, it is a progressive disorder that can be a life-threatening diagnosis. The aorta is the body’s largest blood vessel that begins in the heart, extends down to the pelvic region, and branches out into the legs. Its function is to carry oxygenated blood throughout the body. An aneurysm can occur anywhere within the aorta. It is a ballooning and weakening of a section of the aorta that degenerates the tissue over time. Once the aortic aneurysm forms, it progressively expands and degenerates the vessel wall. When large, it can rupture and cause extensive damage, bleeding, and death.

Although Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms are rare, there are specific risk factors that make individuals more susceptible. Approximately 20% of all Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms are genetic.

Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Causes:
• Atherosclerosis
• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• Degenerative disease
• Family history
• Genetic disorders
• Infections
• Vasculitis-arterial inflammation

Symptoms and Diagnosis
Ct Scans are typically used for diagnosis, and thoracic aortic aneurysms are often caught on a secondary basis, meaning the patient had a chest CT for another issue such as pneumonia. If a patient has symptoms, additional imaging can be ordered or preferred, such as MRI, echocardiogram, angiogram, and others. There are some symptoms, but these usually are felt in the later stages of the disease’s progression. If you feel any sudden discomfort, call 911 as this is a sign of a rupture.

Symptoms include:
• Pain in the jaw, neck, chest, abdomen, and/or upper back
• Wheezing
• Coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Hoarseness
• Trouble swallowing

Treatment
If the aneurysm is small and poses little risk, it can be closely monitored by a vascular surgeon via frequent imaging and physical examinations. If you smoke, you will be asked to quit, and if you have diabetes, that needs to be managed completely with medications, diet, and exercise. Any cholesterol or hypertension issues will need to be treated, as well.

Surgery
If the risk of rupture is greater than the risk of surgery, having a procedure is highly recommended. These include thoracic aortic aneurysm repair (TAA) or a Thoracic aortic aneurysm open repair.

What is an Aortic Dissection?
An aneurysm can also cause a tear in the aortic wall, or an aortic dissection can also occur spontaneously. The tear begins in the innermost layer of the vessel wall. This causes blood to spill into the torn layers and weaken the aorta. It also causes ruptures, which are again, life-threatening.

Symptoms of Aortic Dissection
• Severe, consistent chest pain
• Back pain
• Sensations of ripping or tearing
• Referred pain (moving pain)

Aortic Dissection Treatment
Aortic dissection will require immediate treatment, which can be either open surgery or minimally invasive and repair or stenting in some cases.

The Vascular Center of Naples
The Vascular Center of Naples provides Comprehensive, Compassionate, and Meaningful Vascular Care for their Patients. They also offer FREE vascular profile screening. These screenings can check for abdominal aortic aneurysms, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), and carotid arterial disease.

Russell Becker, DO, Vascular Surgeon
Dr. Becker received his fellowship training in vascular and endovascular surgery at Wayne State University in Detroit. He is board-certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery. He’s a fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons, and he retains active memberships with the Society for Vascular Surgery and the American Association for Vascular Surgery.

Dr. Becker has experience and interest in all areas of vascular and endovascular surgery, including treatment of conditions like carotid artery disease, hemodialysis access creation and maintenance, and diseases of the veins.

Beyond performing surgery, Dr. Becker is a well published author of vascular surgery literature. He has previously served as an investigator in numerous new and developing clinical device trials and has been a part of the clinical faculty in vascular surgery at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine in East Lansing, Michigan.

Dr. Duke Pfitzinger, M.D. Vascular Surgeon
Dr. Pfitzinger balanced his collegiate football career while obtaining his undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University. He received his medical degree from Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. He then returned to Kansas to finish his general surgery residency at the University of Kansas. During his surgical training, he realized his passion for vascular surgery.

Dr. Pfitzinger then moved his wife and three kids south to North Carolina, where he fulfilled his interest in vascular surgery, completing his vascular fellowship at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has multiple publications and presented at national conferences. He has an interest in complex aortic reconstruction, carotid, and peripheral arterial disease treatments along with other aspects of vascular care. When he is not working, he spends time trying to keep up with his two boys and daughter and all things related to the water.

 

Vascular Center of Naples
1875 Veterans Park Drive, Suite 2203
Naples, FL 34109
239-431-5884
www.vascularcenternaples.com