Aortic Diseases: Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) and Dissecting Aortic Aneurysm (DAA)

Aneurysmal dilation is most common in the aorta, distal to the kidney vessels and proximal the iliac artery bifurcation. It is much more frequent in males than in females. It most commonly develops in middle aged and geriatric patients, patients with chronic HT, atherosclerosis, smoking history, and those with a genetic propensity for AAA, although none of this is an absolute rule.

The width of the aorta varies depending on the race, body area, gender and age, and the average aortic diameter is between 2.5 and 3.7 cm in general. Aortic diameter measuring 50% more (1.5 times) than expected is considered an aneurysm. If the diameter of the aorta is > 5 cm, the possibility of rupture increases and requires surgical intervention. In the abdominal aorta, which is generally located infrarenal,> 30 mm for both sexes is described as AAA.

In recent years, the term “Acute Aortic Syndrome” has also been used for all aortic emergencies. Signs and symptoms of AAA varies with the patient’s physiologic reserves, age and the extent of the disease with resultant organ damage (Table 1).

Keywords: Abdominal aortic aneurysm, Aortic diseases, Dissecting aortic aneurysm, Hypertension, Management.