According to The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, an aortic aneurysm is an abnormal weak bulge in the wall of a large blood vessel, or aorta. Dissecting an aortic aneurysm is the splitting or dissecting of an aortic wall by blood, causing the three layers of aorta to separate. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons reports that about 15,000 Americans die every year due to a ruptured aortic aneurysm. Some of the complications of dissecting an aortic aneurysm are chronic hemorrhagic disorder, cardiac tamponade, kidney failure and aortic regurgitation.
Chronic Hemorrhagic Disorder
Dissecting an aortic aneurysm can result in a chronic hemorrhagic disorder. A study published in the August 1980 edition of the "European Heart Journal" reported that dissecting aortic aneurysm induces a chronic hemorrhagic disorder. Hemorrhagic disorder is the spontaneous bleeding caused by a defect in the clotting mechanism or another abnormality.
Cardiac Tamponade
Dissecting an aortic aneurysm can lead to a cardiac tamponade complication, according to the United States National Library of Medicine-National Institute of Health. Cardiac tamponade is an emergency condition in which an excess amount of fluid accumulates in the heart’s pericardial space. Cardiac tamponade limits the heart’s normal range of motion, and prevents it from pumping adequately.
Kidney Failure
The United States National Library of Medicine-National Institute of Health reports an association between a dissecting aortic aneurysm and kidney failure. Kidney failure is the inability of the kidneys to excrete wastes and to maintain the body's balance of electrolytes.
Aortic Regurgitation
According to MayoClinic.com, a dissecting aortic aneurism is associated with aortic regurgitation. Aortic regurgitation is the medical condition in which leakage of aortic valve of the heart occurs. This causes blood to flow in the reverse direction during the process of ventricular diastole, from the aorta into the left ventricle. This reduces the amount of blood available to be pumped out throughout the body.
References
- The Society of Thoracic Surgeons: Aortic Aneurysm
- "European Heart Journal"; Chronic haemorrhagic disorder induced by dissecting aortic aneuryms; A.A. McCleod et al.; August 1980
- National Library of Medicine-National Institute of Health: Dissecting aneurysm and cardiac tamponade
- National Library of Medicine-National Institute of Health: Acute kidney failure as a “mask” of a dissecting aortic aneurysm.
- MayoClinic.com: Aortic Dissection
