What is blockage of the aorta? The arteries or blood vessels are responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood to the heart and other parts of the body. The term (atherosclerosis or dilation of the arteries) is used when oxidized lipids and fatty substances accumulate on the walls of the arteries. 

Which limits blood flow to the rest of the body’s organs. 

 It can also affect any artery in the body, including the arteries of the heart, aorta, brain, arms, legs, pelvis, and kidneys. 

When this happens, many different diseases may result.

What is blockage of aorta?

Aortic thrombosis causes blockage an emergency problem that occurs when blood clots form in the aortic arteries that prevent blood flow to various parts of the body, causing serious complications such as a stroke or heart attack.

What are risk factors of blockage of aortic artery?

Factors that increase the chances of developing this disease.

The most important of which are:

1. The walls of blood vessels are injured due to cardiac catheterization or high blood pressure.

2. Slow blood circulation due to lack of activity.

3. Sudden inflammation of blood vessels due to smoking, drug abuse, pancreatitis, or taking some medications such as heparin.

4. Infection with the Coronavirus, as researchers in 2020 observed a close connection between infection with the Coronavirus and the formation of clots in the aortic arteries.

5. Undergoing chemotherapy or hormonal therapy used to treat cancer.

What are causes of blockage of aortic artery?

There are several factors and causes that lead to the appearance of symptoms of aortic stenosis.

The causes of aortic stenosis may include the following:

1. Aging: As we get older and reach the old age stage, calcium accumulates inside the heart valves, which leads to the formation of scars in these valves and the narrowing of the aortic arteries.
2. Congenital malformations: Sometimes children may be born with problems in the aortic arteries, and with aging, these problems cause the artery to stenosis.
3. Heart disease is caused by rheumatism, which causes the narrowing of the aortic vessel.
4. Diabetes and irregular treatment.
5. Eating too much fat and high levels of cholesterol in the blood.
6. Kidney diseases such as kidney cysts.
7. Constantly Bp and not attention to its treatment.
8. Exposure of the chest area to radiation.
9. Heavy smoke.

What are symptoms of partial block or stenosis of the aorta?

Symptoms do not appear at first. 

The patient may not suffer from any problem, but symptoms of aortic stenosis appear several years after the injury. 

Symptoms also appear gradually and do not appear suddenly.

 Symptoms of aortic stenosis include:

1. Vision problems, as the patient suffers from double vision or weak ability to see.
2. The patient faces difficulty breathing, as he feels tightness in his chest that hinders his ability to breathe.
3. Dizzy constantly, and sometimes the patient faints frequently.
4. Sleep problems and disorders and constant insomnia.
5. Constant coughing, especially at night and when sleeping.
6. Loss of appetite and unwillingness to eat.
7. Increased heart rate and fluttering.
8. Fatigue and tired from the slightest effort.
9. Feeling prickly pain in the chest area.
10. Noticeable weight loss.

 Most of the symptoms of aortic stenosis, which are inability to breathe, fatigue, dizziness, increased heart rate, cough, and chest pain, appear most often during times of physical activity and effort.

The symptoms are similar to those of aortic aneurysm.

What are investigations to detect blockage of the aorta?

Narrowing or dilatation of the aorta can be detected by performing the following medical tests:

1. Ultrasound examination of the arteries: Ultrasound examination of the arteries is considered one of the primary tests used to detect stenosis or dilatation of the aortic vessel.

Sound waves are directed at the area of arteries to generate a 3D image of arteries from which any changes in the size of arteries can be identified.

2. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Magnetic resonance imaging is used to detect any dilatation or stenosis of the aorta, and it provides detailed images of arteries and surrounding tissue.

3. CT scan: CT scan is used to detect stenosis or dilatation of the aorta, and it provides detailed images of the artery and surrounding tissues.

4. The medical tests performed depend on the symptoms and factors associated with the patient, and the tests that should be performed are determined by the doctor.

If there are any symptoms such as aches or bloating, the patient should see a doctor immediately.

Can Echocardiography detect aortic blockage?

Yes, an echo test is an examination performed on a patient using ultrasound waves to study the shape and size of the heart, in addition to determining whether it is functioning optimally or not.

 The principle of the Echo test is to connect sensors to the patient’s body, which sends a chart of the heart’s problem to the computer connected to it to read it and know the result.

 An echo test can be used to detect dilatation or narrowing of the aorta.

An ultrasound scan uses ultrasound waves to produce an image of the heart and its surrounding vessels, including the aorta.

The echocardiogram is one of the most important tests necessary for heart patients.

 In a cardiac echo, the echo device is placed on the chest, and sound waves are sent through the chest to produce an image of the heart and vessels.

The doctor can see the aorta, evaluate its size and shape, and determine if there is any dilatation or narrowing of the artery.

 The ultrasound examination is a harmless, painless examination and does not require any special preparations.

The echocardiogram is one of the routine tests that is used to diagnose cardiovascular disease, including dilatation or narrowing of the aorta.

What are serious complications of blockage of the aortic artery?

When the aorta is blocked, the flow of oxygenated blood to the organ and tissues that the aorta supplies with blood stops. 

 This can lead to serious health complications:

1. Cardiac attack: If flowing to the back of the heart stops, cardiac attacks may occur.
2. Blood clots: Clots form inside a blocked aorta, and this may lead to clots that cause a complete block of the artery.
3. Pulmonary embolism: If the block affects the lung arteries, pulmonary embolism may occur, a serious condition that causes difficulty breathing and chest ache.
4. High Bp: A blocked aorta can lead to high Bp in the body.
5. Organ failure: If aortic stenosis persists for a long time, it may lead to failure of the organ that the aorta supplies with blood, such as the kidneys and liver.
6. Death: If rapid medical intervention is not performed to treat aortic block, the patient may die.

 Care must be taken to determine the cause of aortic obstruction and begin appropriate treatment to avoid serious complications. 

 Medications, surgery treatment, and interventional procedures can be used to treat aortic obstruction.

What are treatment options for blockage of aorta?

Many people want to know whether stenosis of the aorta is dangerous. Of course, stenosis of the aorta is a very serious condition that can lead to death if it is not taken care of and followed up well.

 Therefore, it is necessary to know the most important methods of treating aortic stenosis. 

Treatment methods vary according to the patient’s condition, age, and the extent of the condition’s progress.

 Among the most important methods that are used are:

A. Treatment through medications:

 This solution is not considered a suitable option for this medical problem because it only treats the accompanying symptoms such as ache and high BP.

B. Treatment is through balloon catheterization:

 Treatment by installing a balloon catheter and valves is considered one of the best treatment methods used for patients with aortic stenosis, as it works to widen the narrowed arteries to a large extent.

 This process is done by inserting the endoscope through one of the arteries located in the thigh area. 

The endoscope moves until it reaches the narrow part and a balloon is inflated with it until the artery is widened to a large extent and thus this problem is eliminated.

 Many other techniques and methods are also used to widen narrowed arteries, such as using lasers, thermal frequency, and microwaves. It helps solve many medical conditions effectively, safely, and without any complications or side effects.

C.Treatment through surgical operations

 This type of treatment is considered a last resort in late and very difficult cases, such as when the treatment method through a catheter or balloon fails. 

This surgery is performed by performing surgical intervention in the area where the narrowing of blood vessels or arteries exists, and a tube is placed in this area.

 Or the blocked part is completely removed and then work is done to connect the other parts of the artery precisely. 

Therefore, an integrated and precise medical team must be chosen for this type of operation to achieve the best-desired results.

Finally, we should know that blockages of any branch of the aortoiliac arterial vessel whether in the abdomen or any branches, are very severe and lead to happen of threatening signs and it is a progresses lead to pumping failure of the ventricle due to occlusion of partially to total aorta and need an urgent procedure to safe life.