An aortic aneurysm is a ballooning that occurs in areas where the aortic wall is weak.

The aorta can be defined as the main artery that originates from the heart and forms the source of the entire arterial network in the body. An aortic aneurysm is a kind of deformation that occurs precisely in this vessel.

Aortic aneurysm is a condition in which the wall of the aorta, which is the largest artery in the body, weakens due to various reasons and expands in diameter. Due to the pressure of the blood pumped into the aorta, a balloon-like expansion occurs in the weakened part of the aortic wall.

Aortic aneurysm can occur in any part of the aorta in line with the weakening. Deterioration in the structures of the elastic fibers forming the aortic vessel wall is the most common factor in aortic aneurysm.

Aortic aneurysm usually occurs due to a genetic predisposition, it is often seen in people over 50 years old and have high blood pressure. In some cases, aortic aneurysm may occur in very young people due to connective tissue diseases.

How Is An Aortic Aneurysm Diagnosed?
Aortic aneurysms appear as conditions that usually do not cause any symptoms and are noticed on x-rays performed during routine controls. In some cases, it is understood as a result of the patient's application to a doctor as a result of the fact that various symptoms appear. In this respect, we can list the procedures performed for the diagnosis of aortic aneurysm as follows;

High resolution CT scan
X-ray imaging of blood vessels (angiography)
Recording ultrasound images of the aorta from within the esophagus (transesophageal echocardiography)
Examination of the inside of blood vessels (intravascular ultrasonography)

Priority Treatment in Aortic Aneurysm: Stent-Graft

We can list the following as the basic elements in the treatment of aortic aneurysm;

Location of the aneurysm
Shape of the aneurysm
The size of the aneurysm
Patient's age
General health status
Information obtained from imaging tests performed during the diagnosis and diagnosis process
There are basically two methods for the treatment of aortic aneurysm: open surgery and closed technique, which we call endovascular repair.

In the treatment of aortic aneurysms, there was no other option other than the open surgery method, and patients had to resort to this method when they were faced with the problem of kidney failure. However, stent-graft technology has created a safe and effective alternative treatment opportunity for aneurysm patients who previously had no choice but to open surgery.

With the new generation and "branched" stent-graft technology, closed method treatment becomes possible in aneurysms involving the renal arteries.

Under X-ray guidance, the stent-graft is inserted into a long thin tube (catheter) using a guide wire. A stent-graft is the name given to the tube used to strengthen the weakened area of ​​the aorta.

During the procedure, the stent-graft is moved along the guide wire inside the catheter and advanced to the aneurysm site. With catheter retraction, the stent-graft expands on either side of the aneurysm, creating a new passageway through which blood can flow without pushing the aneurysm. Thus, since there is no pressure exerted on the aneurysm, the aneurysm shrinks over time.

What are the Effects of Stent-Graft Treatment?
We can list the effects of treatments performed with alternative stent-graft technology in aortic aneurysms as follows;

Aortic aneurysm patients treated using stent-graft technology can return to their active lives on the day of the procedure.
Since the abdominal region is not opened, the patient can be fed on the day of the procedure, and there is no problem in the digestive system.
Since very small incisions are made during the procedure, the patient's recovery is very rapid.
Post-operative problems are minimized.
Intra-abdominal aneurysm operations, which have a much higher risk than normal aortic aneurysms, can be performed successfully.

Ascending Aorta and Aortic Valve Replacement Closed Method
Aorta located in the chest; It consists of three parts, the ascending aorta (ascending aorta), the aortic arch, and the descending aorta. Aneurysms occurring in these regions can grow silently without any symptoms.

The ascending aorta, also known as the ascending aorta, with a diameter of 5.5 cm and above, carries vital risks for the patient.

As a result of the thinning and tearing of the ascending aortic wall, blood spreads to the heart cavity in a few seconds, causing the heart to be compressed and stopped. In this respect, we can say that surgery for the ascending aorta is inevitable. In ascending aortic aneurysms, this vessel can be changed from 3-4 cm by creating small incisions with the closed method of ascending aortic and aortic valve replacement.