DIAGNOSIS.—This lesion has rarely been suspected, much less diagnosed, during life, but a better knowledge of its peculiarities may lead to more frequent recognition of it hereafter. When the collateral circulation is fully established, stenosis of the aorta could hardly be mistaken for anything else. The resulting excessive dilatation of the great vessels at the root of the neck may simulate aneurism, and it should be borne in mind that aneurism is liable to follow stenosis.
PROGNOSIS.—The death of most of the victims of stenosis of the aorta is directly referable to the lesion itself, although the existence of the trouble is compatible with long life and active occupation. The duration of life and the amount of suffering caused by stenosis both depend upon the amount of obstruction in the aorta and the efficiency of the collateral circulation.
In 49 cases death occurred in the following manner:
| Rupture of the aorta | 10 | times. |
| Rupture of the heart | 3 | " |
| Sudden pulmonary oedema | 4 | " |
| Cardiac failure | 8 | " |
| Apoplexy | 4 | " |
| Pneumonia | 8 | " |
| Capillary bronchitis | 4 | " |
| Paralysis | 2 | " |
| Pleurisy | 1 | time. |
| No cause assigned | 5 | times. |
| 49 | times. |
TREATMENT.—Obviously, no treatment for the lesion itself is possible. If recognized, the existence of the sufferer may be prolonged by adopting moderation in all things as the maxim of his life. Subjective symptoms of discomfort must be combated on general principles as they arise.
DISEASES OF THE CORONARY, PULMONARY, SUPERIOR MESENTERIC, INFERIOR MESENTERIC, AND HEPATIC ARTERIES, AND OF THE COELIAC AXIS.
BY E. G. CUTLER, M.D.