It's Topic Tuesday!

Today is Topic Tuesday at Aortic Hope!

👉Pseudoaneurysm...ever heard of it? Not too many have and yet this is something that happens in the community.

👉A pseudoaneurysm happens as a result of injury to a blood vessel. The artery leaks blood, which then pools near the damaged spot. It's different from a true aneurysm, which happens when the wall of a blood vessel stretches and forms a bulge.

In WebMD, the article titled "What Is a Pseudoaneurysm/:, author Rebekah Kuschmider explains the following:

♥What’s the Difference Between a Pseudoaneurysm and an Aneurysm?

"The words aneurysm and pseudoaneurysm sound very similar, but they are two different conditions. An aneurysm is a weak spot in a blood vessel that has started to stretch and form a small bulge. If the wall of the blood vessel continues to weaken, the aneurysm could rupture. A rupture carries a risk of internal bleeding that can be life-threatening.

A pseudoaneurysm is due to an artery injury that pierces the wall of a blood vessel. The opening in the blood vessel allows blood to leak out and pool in the surrounding tissue. It may look like an aneurysm, but your blood vessel wall won't stretch into the bulge that characterizes a true aneurysm."

❓What Are the Causes of a Pseudoaneurysm?

"A pseudoaneurysm is often a complication of cardiac catheterization. Cardiac catheterization is a procedure for diagnosing heart conditions. Your doctor will insert a flexible tube with a camera into the artery in your leg and thread it through your blood vessels to your heart. If the tube injures a blood vessel during the procedure, it can result in a pseudoaneurysm.

If you are having a cardiac catheterization procedure, talk to your doctor about your risk of getting a pseudoaneurysm. They will be able to tell you what to look for in the days after your procedure.

There are other causes for a pseudoaneurysm, including:

Infection

Pancreatitis

Rupture of a true aneurysm

Surgery

Other trauma"

❓What Are the Symptoms of a Pseudoaneurysm?

"The symptoms of a pseudoaneurysm are usually pain and swelling at the site of the blood vessel damage. You might feel a lump under your skin where the blood is pooling in the tissue. It may feel tender or painful to the touch. It may feel like it's throbbing. Your doctor may notice a whooshing sound called bruit caused by the blood pulsing under your skin."

If you would like to learn more about treatment options etc., check out the article here.

*photo cred Stanford Health Care