aortic dissention/aortic aneurysm

Posted By Kristine on October 28, 1998 at 07:48:38:







Hello. Could you please explain the difference between aortic dissention and aortic aneurysm and what the symptoms are? Could you also list the causes of both conditions and what test(s) are used to diagnose them? I was also wondering if having a heart catheterization can cause either of these conditions (from damage to the aorta from the catheter). I'm curious because I had a catheterization about 10 months ago that was normal, however recently a nurse told me she heard a murmur that sounded aortic (that had never been heard before) The first thing I thought was that my aorta had been damaged from irritation to the walls from the catheter. I know it's not my valve because I've had echos. This may be far fetched, but I did feel pain during the catheterization that has yet to be explained to me by my doctor (so I've just assumed this whole time that the catheter damaged something because frankly my doctor doesn't know why I felt the pain) And I also experience a quick pain in my upper chest just to the right of the middle that comes and goes that I did not experience before having the procedure. So having the catheterization seems to have actually made me worry MORE rather than ease my mind. I'm confused. Please help.