Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Board-Certified Vascular Surgeons | Free Vein Center Consults

Board-Certified Vascular Surgeons
Free Vein Center Consults

What is an Aortic Aneurysm?

Aortic aneurysms are brought on when the walls of the aortic artery begin to expand from dilation, bulging or ballooning. This most commonly occurs in the parts of the body where the aorta passes through, such as the chest, abdomen and pelvis. When the aorta expands, or "balloons," it can rupture and lead to a life-threatening hemorrhage.

Find treatment for this serious condition here at Atlanta Vascular Specialists. Contact our locally owned practice at (404) 524-0095.

Risk Factors for Aortic Aneurysms Include:

Atherosclerosis
Chronic hypertension
Emphysema
Family history
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Inherited diseases (Marfan’s Syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome)
Smoking

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA's) affect 6-9 percent of men ages 65 and up and are twice as common in men than women.

Signs and Symptoms of an Aortic Aneurysm

Aortic aneurysms typically do not produce visible symptoms that would be noticeable to you or your doctor. That's why it is important for those at an increased risk or who have been exposed to the risk factors listed above to be screened specifically for an aortic aneurysm.

Occasionally, aneurysms may be felt as a mass or lump in the abdomen that pulsates with each heartbeat. Some aneurysms are found during the evaluation of pain in the back or side, as this pain can occur as the aneurysm grows and presses on the spinal column and nearby nerves.

Today, AAA's are most commonly discovered via X-rays that are done for other reasons, such as an ultrasound of the gallbladder or an MRI or CT scan of the back.

For patients who are not actively being screened for aortic aneurysms, going through routine medical exams, screenings or other health procedures may lead to the discovery of aortic aneurysm risks by your physician. The most common instances of this are through standard medical examinations, abdominal surgery or diagnostic tests, such as an ultrasound or CT scan.

Treatment Options for Aortic Aneurysms

Treatment of an aortic aneurysm depends on its size and severity. If it is caught early on and not too large, our doctor may decide to regularly monitor the growth through ultrasound and CT scans.

However, for larger aneurysms, a surgical procedure may be necessary to lower the risks to a patient's health. A common, minimally-invasive surgical repair for this type of procedure is an endovascular stent-graft repair.