Aneurisms. Literature Review

Abstract

The study of aneurysms is of special interest in the medical sciences, particularly in the forensic field because it is considered a cause of sudden death. Aneurysms are defined as an abnormal dilation in the circumferential wall of a blood vessel or the wall of the heart and are classified as true aneurysms and false aneurysms (pseudoaneurysms). The true aneurysms are classified as succiform and fusiform. They appear according to their pathogenesis as products of promoter and trigger factors that alter the shape and function of the vascular wall and its weakening, atherosclerotic and hypertensive processes, alterations of the connective tissue and the extracellular matrix of the vascular wall and infections. They can appear in different body regions; although they are more frequent in the aorta. In the abdomen they are associated with atherosclerosis; in the thorax to hypertension and in the brain as multifactorial including the congenital causes. The diagnosis can be very difficult and this is based on the clinical presentation and various imaging studies such as contrast arteriography, ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance. The treatment of arterial aneurysms has been limited to surgical intervention.