Smokers at high risk of aortic aneurysm, Dr Ravul Jindal

Vascular surgeons discuss latest in aortic management
CME on management of aortic with latest technology held

Chandigarh, January 31
The smokers are at a higher risk of falling prey to aortic aneurysm, than their non-smoker counterparts. This debilitating disease targets men 5 to 10 times more often than women.
Dr Ravul Jindal, Head, Vascular & Endovascular Surgery, Fortis Mohali said this while talking to media persons on the sidelines of first ever CME on the management of Aortic with latest technology i.e. Minimal Invasive treatment for Aortic Aneurysm Endo Vascular Stenting held today.
Dr Jindal said that the diseases are usually characterized by feeling of pulsation near the navel, tenderness or pain in the abdomen or chest, back pain etc. Being above 55 years or being diabetic or having high blood pressure or hypertension or even have a family history of hypertension or using tobacco, makes one more susceptible to the disease.
Incidences of aortic aneurysms in India are on an increase due to poor lifestyle conditions, increasing western habits, smokers, hypertension and increasing life expectancy. “We may be seeing more aneurysms also because we have better diagnostic machines and we can detect it earlier,” he said.
“It is more important to identify this disease at onset as rupture of aorta may lead to death. While the incidences of Aortic Aneurysm are on an increase, contrary to this there are very few, surgeons in India who are trained to treat it,” Dr Jindal observed.
He said that to update cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, physicians, surgeons, radiologist, this CME is being held that discussed new modes of minimal invasive surgery of aortic aneurysm.
Doctors from all over India, with vast experience and experience of performing more than 100 endo vascular surgeries of aortic aneurysm, spoke on knowing more about aortic aneurysms.
Dr Hemant Desh Mukh, Head, Dept. of Radiology, KEM Hospital, Mumbai spoke on Diagnosis and Planning of Aortic Aneurysms, while Dr Ravul Jindal spoke on Endovascular Treatment of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms.
Dr. Riza Ibrahim, Head of Dept. of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai spoke on Endovascular Treatment of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms. Dr Jagmohan Verma, Head Cardiology Fortis Hospital Mohali spoke on Etiology, Signs, Symptoms & Clinical presentation of Aneurysms.

What is aortic aneurysm?
Aortic Aneurysm is a disease of Aorta, the largest artery in human body that originates from heart and extends down to abdomen. Aorta is responsible for supplying oxygenated blood to all parts of the body hence any disease in this artery can be life threatening for the patient.
Aortic Aneurysm is swelling in aorta, usually representing an underlying weakness in wall of aorta at that location. While stretched vessel may occasionally cause discomfort, a greater concern is risk of rupture.
If the dilation in aorta ruptures, it causes severe pain and massive internal bleeding. As Aorta feeds body with oxygenated blood, any rupture in this artery can mean cease of blood supply to various parts of body including brain. Without prompt treatment, this can result into quick death.
If the aorta ruptures at home the chances of dying are more than 90% and even if the patients reaches hospital the mortality is more than 80% even with surgery. Therefore, it is Important to identify this disease before rupture and treat it.
There are various ways of managing Aortic Aneurysm including medical management and surgery. Medical management is conservative mode of treatment and is often recommended for patients with other existing diseases where surgery is not a possibility. Surgical management is high risk with aprx 10% mortality rate in abdominal aortic aneurysms and 20-30% in thoracic aneurysms and of course higher mortality if patient is old.
The new minimally invasive endovascular technique is internationally acclaimed as Gold Standard for managing aortic aneurysms in selected group of patients. Very few surgeons are actually trained in performing these procedures. Experts in management of aortic aneurysms are going to get together and go through the latest advancement in the management of this condition.