What Is an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm?
Your arteries carry oxygen rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body. The aorta, the largest artery in the body, runs from the heart through the chest and into the abdomen. The portion located in the abdomen supplies blood to the legs, digestive organs, and kidneys.
An abdominal aortic aneurysm, often called AAA, occurs when the wall of the aorta weakens and begins to bulge outward. Over time, the aneurysm may continue to enlarge. If left untreated, it can rupture, leading to severe internal bleeding and potentially life threatening complications.
In addition to rupture, clots or debris may form within an aneurysm. These can travel through the bloodstream and block circulation in other areas of the body, which may cause severe pain or tissue damage and, in rare cases, limb loss.
Early detection makes AAA highly treatable. Nearly 200,000 people in the United States are diagnosed each year, and approximately 15,000 deaths annually are associated with rupture.
Causes and Risk Factors
Most aortic aneurysms develop when the proteins that provide structural strength to the aortic wall break down over time. Several factors can increase the likelihood of this occurring, including
Age over 60
Male sex
History of atherosclerosis, also known as hardening of the arteries
Family history of AAA
Smoking
High blood pressure
Chronic lung disease
Symptoms
Many people experience no symptoms, and an aneurysm is often discovered during imaging performed for unrelated reasons. When symptoms do occur, they may include
A pulsing sensation in the abdomen
Unexplained or severe pain in the abdomen or lower back
Pain, discoloration, or sores on the feet, which is uncommon but possible
Diagnosis
If you experience symptoms or imaging suggests the presence of an aneurysm, evaluation by a vascular surgeon is recommended. Vascular surgeons specialize in diagnosing and treating diseases of the blood vessels and are trained to provide the full range of treatment options. These may include medical management, minimally invasive endovascular stent graft procedures, or open surgical repair. Consultation with a specialist ensures care is tailored to your condition and overall health.
Medicare Screening Benefit
Medicare offers a free one time ultrasound screening for qualified individuals as part of the Welcome to Medicare visit within the first year of enrollment. Men who have smoked at any point in their lives, as well as men and women with a family history of AAA, may be eligible.
Treatment
The primary factor guiding treatment decisions is the size of the aneurysm and how quickly it is growing. Smaller aneurysms may be monitored while lifestyle changes are recommended, such as quitting smoking, managing blood pressure, and using prescribed medications.
Larger aneurysms or those that continue to expand may require repair. Treatment options include placement of an endovascular stent graft through a minimally invasive procedure or open surgical repair. Your vascular surgeon will determine the most appropriate approach based on your specific needs.
