Abdominal aortic aneurysm

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Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention

Abdominal aortic aneurysm

If the aneurysm is small and there are no symptoms (for example, if it was discovered during a routine physical), your doctor may recommend periodic evaluation. This usuallyincludes a yearly ultrasound, to see if the aneurysm is getting bigger.

Aneurysms that cause symptoms usually require surgery to prevent complications.

Surgery is recommended for patients with aneurysms bigger than 5 cm in diameter and aneurysms that rapidly increase in size. The goal is to perform surgery before complications develop.

There are two approaches to surgery. In a traditional (open) repair, a cut is made inyour abdomen. Theabnormal vessel is replaced with a graft made of synthetic material, such as Dacron.

The other approach is called endovascular repair. Thin, hollow tubes called cathetersare inserted through arteries inyour groin. These tubesallow the grafts to be placed without making a large cut in your abdomen. In addition, you may recover sooner. However, not all patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms are candidates for endovascular repair.

The outcome isusuallygoodif an experienced surgeon repairs the aneurysm before it ruptures. However, less than 50% of patients survive a ruptured abdominal aneursym.

• Aortic rupture
• Hypovolemic shock
• Arterial embolism
• Kidney failure
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Aortic dissection

Go to the emergency room or call 911 if you develop severe abdominal pain or any of theother symptoms of an aneurysm.

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