Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

What is an abdominal aortic aneurysm?

An aneurysm is a weakened area in the wall of an artery that bulges or “balloons” outward. Aneurysms can occur anywhere, but most commonly, they form in the aorta — a major artery leaving the heart — or in the brain. Aneurysms that form in the abdominal portion of the aorta are called abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA).

The main risk associated with AAA is that it can rupture or burst at any time, leading to massive internal bleeding. A ruptured AAA is fatal about 50% of the time, which is why you must have early diagnosis and close monitoring by a vascular specialist if you have a AAA. Aneurysms also increase your risk of blood clots, which can cause stroke and other life-threatening injuries. 

What are the symptoms of AAA? 

AAA often go undiagnosed until too late, because they may not cause any symptoms until they begin to rupture. If your AAA is large, you may notice a pulsating sensation in the abdomen, similar to the rhythm of a heartbeat, or deep pain in the abdomen, groin, or lower back.

If your AAA is about to rupture, you may have a severe, sudden abdominal or back pain. If you know you have AAA, these symptoms would indicate you need immediate emergency treatment.

What are the risk factors for having AAA?

While there is no definitive cause of AAA, many medical researchers believe that some of the same risk factors that cause hardening of the arteries (smoking, high blood pressure, etc.) may also make the aorta more vulnerable to this condition. 

You may also be at higher risk for AAA if you have:

• A family history of aneurysms
• High blood pressure
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Vascular diseases
• Genetic factors

Less commonly, you may be at higher risk if you have had abdominal trauma, connective tissue disease, or frequent fungal or bacterial infections. 

What are the treatments for a AAA?

Since most abdominal aortic aneurysms cause subtle symptoms or no symptoms, the best way to detect or diagnose AAA is with an ultrasound screening to look for enlarged or bulging areas. 

 If you have risk factors for AAA, you should have regular screenings. In some cases, an aneurysm may be detected accidentally during diagnostic imaging like X-rays or CT scans performed for other issues.

If your AAA is smaller than two inches across or you are not experiencing any symptoms, your physician likely recommends an ultrasound or CT scan every six months. You may also take blood pressure medications to decrease pressure on the AAA.  

If your AAA is larger than two inches, Vascular Institute of New York offers both standard and more innovative treatment options for treating your aneurysm. They offer both open surgical and minimally invasive surgical options for your AAA repair.  

To see which treatment options are best for your AAA, call or schedule an appointment with Vascular Institute of New York today.