Which medications are used?
The most important drug therapy of aortic aneurysm is the regulation of blood pressure. Since high blood pressure (hypertension) promotes rupture of the aneurysm, blood pressure must be strictly adjusted to values below 120-140 mmHg systolic to 90mmHg diastolic. Regular blood pressure medication, so-called antihypertensives, are used for this purpose.
They are administered according to a specific step-by-step scheme, depending on the severity and uncontrollability of the hypertension. The medication is often based on ACE inhibitors, such as ramipril, or AT1 antagonists, such as candesartan. Often beta-blockers (e.g. metoprolol) are also given in combination.
Blood lipid-lowering drugs, such as statins, also have a positive effect, as they stop the progress of the vascular wall changes. Since beta-blockers are frequently used for therapy, no calcium antagonist, such as verapamil or diltiazem, should be given. This results from the pharmacological properties of both drugs.
The use of blood-thinning medications in advance must be decided in each individual case. However, after the graft has been installed, they are mandatory. In general, however, nicotine has a significantly negative effect on the course of an aortic aneurysm and abstinence from tobacco and any form of nicotine is highly recommended for aortic aneurysms.
Prophylaxis of aortic aneurysm
Except for an optimal blood pressure setting (max: 120:80 mmHg), you cannot influence the formation of an aortic aneurysm yourself. It is important to delay arteriosclerosis for as long as possible through an appropriate lifestyle, to detect an aneurysm as early as possible through prophylactic ultrasound examinations, and to monitor its progress (especially in cases of genetic predisposition). Learn how you can lower your blood pressure.
