• What is an Aortic Aneurysm?

• What could happen if I have an Aortic Aneurysm?

• Symptoms
• How is a diagnosis of aneurysm made?
• Surgical management of aneurysm
• Medical management of aneurysm

What is an Aortic Aneurysm?

An Aortic Aneurysm also known as a AAA is a ballooning or enlargement of an artery. The aorta, the largest artery (the usual diameter of a normal aorta is about 1 inch) in the body, begins just above the heart and continues to about the level of the navel.  Along the way there are branches which supply the heart, arms, brain, stomach, liver, bowel, and kidneys.

The most common site for an aneurysm is just below the arteries supplying the kidneys known as the renal arteries. At the level of the belly button. At this location the artery divides into two called the iliac arteries. They provide needed blood flow to the legs. 

What could happen if I have an Aortic Aneurysm?

• The main risk of an aortic aneurysm is rupture. Generally, the risk of rupture increases with size. The larger the aneurysm the greater the risk.

• If rupture occurs, massive bleeding results and frequently death follows. Most often, there are no symptoms and the aneurysm is discovered during a routine physical or when an x-ray of some other body part is taken.

Symptoms

• Abnormal Pulse in the Abdomen - This is felt just above the umbilicus. A trained professional can feel and measure the approximate diameter of this artery. Sometimes people mention that a book rested on the stomach, while lying down, moves from the strong pulse.

• Back Pain: Occasionally, a person canl experience a new onset of back pain, which can be moderate to severe, and is not explained by back injury.

• Occurrence: AAA's some times run run in families and occurs more often in older patients.

Surgical Management of Aneurysm

• Conventional open repair of an aneurysm involves exposing the aneurysm through an incision, clamping the aorta and sewing a graft into the aorta above and below the aneurysm. This method is very durable and excellent long-term results can be expected.

  • The length of surgery is approximately 4 hours.

  • Hospital stay is usually 4-7 days.

  • Continued yearly ultrasound follow-up is recommended.

• Endovascular repair. The operation involves placing a graft (an endograft) within the aorta. The endograft extends from the aorta above the aneurysm to the aorta (or iliac arteries) below the aneurysm. The operation involves an incision in the upper part of each thigh. The endograft is then introduced into an artery in the thigh and advanced upstream into the aorta using xray guidance. 

  • The short-term results of an endovascular aortic aneurysm repair are very good.

  • Requires ongoing periodic examination (CT scans and ultra sound exams) to assess for any problems.

Medical Management of Aneurysm

• This consists of monitoring a small aneurysm. Your doctor will have an ultrasound or CT Scan done about every six months. If an increase in the diameter occurs, then surgery may be discussed.

• The physician will suggest that a person with this condition stop smoking, control his blood pressure and generally improve his health with better nutrition and exercise.

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