Symptoms
Symptoms of aortic infection may vary depending on the type of infection and its location. When the infection is due to a mycotic aneurysm, symptoms are usually noticed prior to diagnosis. The aneurysm often causes a tear in the aorta, known as an aortic rupture, which requires immediate attention. Symptoms of a mycotic aneurysm may include:
- Increased white blood cell count
- Fever
- Severe back pain
- Severe abdominal pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Decreased kidney function
When the condition occurs due to an infection of an aortic graft, symptoms may vary depending on how recently the procedure occurred. When the infection develops within four months, the graft-procedure symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Increased white blood cell count
- Infection at the entry site (often the groin)
- Graft dysfunction
If the infection sets in later than four months after the procedure, symptoms are often less noticeable and may include:
- A false aneurysm (a collection of blood outside the blood vessels)
- Swelling of the kidney (hydronephrosis)
- An infection in the bone (osteomyelitis)
Causes and Risk Factors
The condition is rare and is caused by an infection in the aorta. The infection can develop due to the presence of bacteria after an aortic graft or bacteria originating in another area and traveling to the aorta through the bloodstream. A history of having an aortic graft increases the risk of developing an infection.