Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Frequently Asked Questions

An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a bulge in the aorta which is the large artery traveling from your heart to your legs. This is usually diagnosed using a CT scan or ultrasound. An aneurysms can rupture causing significant bleeding and frequently death. Because of this, most aneurysms of significant size (more than 5 cm in diameter) should be repaired. Today's technology allows most of these aneurysms to be treated using stent grafts that are minimally invasive allowing for a quicker recovery with less pain.

Individuals with the following characteristics are at risk for developing Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: Males Age over 60 High blood pressure Family history of AAA Hardening of the arteries Smokers Lung problems Females and younger people can have aneurysms.

An aortic aneurysm is a bulging or "ballooning" that forms in a weakened area of the aorta, the large artery that exits from the heart and carries blood to the rest of the body and to the other major arteries. An abdominal aortic aneurysm occurs in the part of the aorta in the abdomen, usually below the kidneys. Abdominal aortic aneurysms can sometimes leak or rupture, resulting in serious bleeding and possibly death.

An AAA is a localized dilatation of the abdominal aorta greater than 3 cm caused by a degenerative process or the aortic wall, such as arteriosclerosis.

Unfortunately abdominal aneurysms are also highly hereditary and should be detected before they can rupture.

Most men, if they are going to develop an aneurysm, will show some sign of this by age 65. Women in general are six times less likely than men to develop an aortic aneurysm. Aortic aneurysms are the third most common cause of sudden death in the UK

A An abdominal aortic aneurysm is an enlarged segment of the lower aorta, the large artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. The enlarged or ballooned segment occurs commonly below the arteries that lead to the kidneys. The normal aorta is 2 – 3 centimeters (about ¾ to 1¼ inches) in diameter. An aneurysm is present when the aorta is twice the normal size. Aneurysms less than 5 centimeters in diameter are usually followed by observation because growth rates are slow and risk of rupture is low. ...

/4 of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)s are have no symptoms and are only found on routine examinations. Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)’s are often referred to as a "silent killer" because rupture may occur before diagnosis. Possible symptoms include: pulsating abdominal mass low back, flank, abdominal and groin

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)s are the 13th leading cause of death in the United States Half of all persons with untreated abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) die of rupture within five years Aneurysms that have a diameter of 5 cm or are growing at a rapid rate and have a significant risk of rupture.