16.04.2025 21:20
Prof. Murat Uğurlucan, who aims to raise awareness about heart and vascular diseases, explained the differences between aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection. He stated that both conditions are fatal and that their mechanisms, symptoms, and methods of intervention differ. Uğurlucan emphasized that understanding the differences between the two diseases is vital for timely and accurate intervention.
The Deputy Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) and DEM Party Istanbul Deputy Sırrı Süreyya Önder's aortic dissection reminded us how close we are to heart and vascular diseases.
"WRONG INTERPRETATION WASTES TIME..." However, there is a fact that many of us are not aware of: Aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection are not the same disease! Moreover, confusing these two can lead to life-threatening consequences. Prof. Dr. Murat Uğurlucan from the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at Biruni University Medical Faculty makes a very critical warning: "Both diseases are fatal, but their mechanisms, symptoms, and intervention methods are different. Wrong interpretation wastes time, which erases life-saving minutes."
WHAT IS AORTIC ANEURYSM? Aortic aneurysm occurs due to the enlargement of the aorta, the largest vessel that exits your heart. It progresses slowly and insidiously. The most important cause of the disease is atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. This bulge, which grows over the years, usually does not show symptoms. However, it can be detected early with screening methods such as CT, MRI, or ultrasound. Treatment can be planned surgery or covered stents. However, when the aneurysm ruptures, you face the risk of internal bleeding and sudden death.
AORTIC DISSECTION: THE SILENT KILLER RACING AGAINST TIME Dissection is much more dramatic. This condition, which begins with the tearing of the inner layer of the aorta, causes blood to progress within the vessel wall. The most common cause of the disease is high blood pressure. Another significant risk factor for the disease is aortic aneurysm; that is, dissection can also occur on the background of an aneurysm. Patients usually describe this as a chest or back pain that feels like "a knife stabbing." It mimics a heart attack. Diagnosis is made with an emergency CT angiography. Treatment must begin within minutes. Otherwise, dissection can result in death. "Dissection, unlike aneurysm, is a sudden event. It starts with severe chest and back pain. It can mimic a heart attack but is a much more urgent condition," said Prof. Dr. Uğurlucan, noting that dissection can have life-threatening consequences within minutes.
WHY IS THE DISTINCTION SO IMPORTANT? Prof. Dr. Uğurlucan emphasized, "Although aortic aneurysm can rarely cause complaints such as abdominal pain, back pain, or chest pain, it is often unnoticed. However, it can be detected with regular check-ups and treated with planned surgery. Aortic dissection, on the other hand, is an emergency condition that races against time. The faster the diagnosis and treatment, the higher the patient's chance of survival," highlighting the difference between the two.
Prof. Dr. Murat Uğurlucan DIFFERENCES BETWEEN AORTIC ANEURYSM AND AORTIC DISSECTION Aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection are of vital importance in the treatment and intervention process. Prof. Dr. Murat Uğurlucan compares these two conditions as follows:
Aortic aneurysm generally develops slowly and insidiously over the years. The wall of the aorta weakens over time, leading to enlargement in that area. The disease often does not show symptoms. Therefore, diagnosis is mostly made through screening methods – especially CT (computed tomography), MRI (magnetic resonance), or ultrasound. Aneurysms detected early can be treated with planned surgery or covered stents placed inside the vessel. However, when the aortic aneurysm ruptures, it leads to serious internal bleeding, which can be fatal.
In contrast, aortic dissection is a much more sudden and rapidly progressing condition. When the inner layer of the aorta tears, blood begins to progress along the vessel wall. This can disrupt blood flow to the organs and pose a life-threatening risk. Dissection typically presents with sudden, severe chest or back pain that feels like a knife stabbing. An emergency CT angiography is required for diagnosis. Treatment may involve emergency open-heart surgery or endovascular (closed) stent placement, depending on the location of the dissection. Here, time is the most critical factor; every passing minute increases the risk of death.
In summary:
Aortic aneurysm is a silently progressing disease that is usually asymptomatic and requires planned treatment.Aortic dissection , on the other hand, is a sudden event that causes severe pain and can be fatal within minutes.WHO IS AT RISK? Those over 60 years old Patients with high blood pressure Those with a family history of vascular disease Smokers Those with high cholesterol and atherosclerosis Connective tissue diseases (e.g., Marfan syndrome) PROF. DR. MURAT UĞURLUCAN: DO NOT TAKE PAIN LIGHTLY Uğurlucan continued his remarks as follows: "We encounter aortic dissections more frequently. In our hospital, we discharged two patients who underwent emergency operations for aortic dissection in March, one of whom was 44 and the other 35 years old, after successful treatment processes. Both of our patients were high blood pressure patients who avoided doctor check-ups and did not regularly take their blood pressure medications. Take pain seriously, do not neglect screening. The only way to cope with silently progressing diseases is to be aware and take action in time. Both aneurysm and dissection can be non-fatal with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment."