Science and Technology
Context: Grant Wahl, a US sportswriter covering the World Cup, died in Qatar. The autopsy found that Wahl had an “ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm”, a weakening of the blood vessel that often goes undetected.
About Thoracic aortic aneurysm:
- An aneurysm is a localized weakening of the wall of a blood vessel, which causes the vessel to bulge in that area, as a result of which the vessel may widen to more than 50 per cent of its usual diameter.
- Aneurysms are more commonly seen in arteries than in veins.
- The aorta is the main artery that carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body and it is also the body’s largest blood vessel.
- An aortic aneurysm is a weakening and bulging in a portion of the aorta.
- Thoracic refers to that section of the blood vessel that passes through the chest.
- Aneurysms occur more often in the portion of the aorta that runs through the abdomen rather than the chest (causing what is called “abdominal aortic aneurysm”).
- The vessel may ultimately burst or separate, triggering a bleeding rush that can be life-threatening, and potentially lethal.
Causes and Symptoms
- degenerative disease that causes breakdown of the aortic wall tissue;
- genetic disorders such as Marfan syndrome;
- It is a genetic condition that affects connective tissue and can damage the blood vessels and cause aneurysms of the aorta
- family history;
- vasculitis, or inflammation of the arteries; and
- atherosclerosis, or the build-up of plaque on the walls of the artery.
- In rare cases, an infection can also trigger an aneurysm.
Treatment:
- Treatment may include monitoring the size and rate of growth of the bulge through an MRI or CT, and managing risk factors or a surgery.
Source:Indian Express
Previous Year Question
Q.1) Consider the following statements:
- Biofilms can form on medical implants within human tissues.
- Biofilms can form on food and food processing surfaces.
- Biofilms can exhibit antibiotic resistance.
Which of the statements given above are correct? (2022)
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
