Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

What is Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm ?
An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a bulge in the aorta (the aorta is the main blood vessel coming from the heart that supplies blood to all organs) in your abdomen.

In the case of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), an aneurysm develops in the part of the aorta that extends through the abdomen. The bulge occurs below the renal arteries (kidneys) and may extend
into the iliac arteries (legs). Most AAAs occur in association with advanced atherosclerosis, an accumulation of fatty deposits on the vessel wall.

 Symptom of abdominal aortic aneurysm

Abdominal aortic aneurisms Patients may observe the following symptom -

Sudden onset of severe, mid-abdominal pain that frequently radiates to the back. The pain cannot be relieved by changing position. This is typically seen in a patient over 50, perhaps with a history of hypertension or prior documented atherosclerotic vascular disease.

Abdominal aortic aneurysms disease can be confused clinically with kidney stones because of the similarity in the character of pain.

The symptoms of rupture include:

    * Pulsating sensation in the abdomen
    * Pain in the abdomen that is severe, sudden, persistent, or constant. The pain may radiate to groin, buttocks, or legs.
    * Abdominal rigidity
    * Pain in the lower back that is severe, sudden, and persistent. The pain may radiate to the buttocks, or legs.
    * Anxiety
    * Nausea and vomiting
    * Clammy skin
    * Rapid heart rate when rising to a standing position
    * Shock
    * Abdominal mass

Complication of abdominal aortic aneurysm

    * Aortic rupture
    * Hypovolemic shock
    * Arterial embolism
    * Kidney failure
    * Heart attack
    * Stroke
    * Aortic dissection

Treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm

Treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm depends upon the size of the aneurysm. If the aneurysm is less than 4 cm (1.5 in) wide, surgery is not necessary, but your doctor will monitor it carefully for an increase in size. Aneurysms between 4 and 5 cm (1.5 - 2 in) wide may be treated with surgery if you and your doctor determine that is the best course of treatment.
Aneurysms that are larger than 5 cm (2 in) or are causing symptoms are always treated with surgery, unless it is considered risky because of other health problems. The surgeon makes an incision in the abdomen, removes the aneurysm, and repairs it with a synthetic patch, called a graft. This type of surgery has a very high success rate. There is also another type of surgery called endovascular grafting, which involves inserting a thin tube called a catheter through a groin artery into the abdominal aorta.

surgical Treatment

your surgeon will make an opening in your abdomen. The blood vessel will then be opened at the site of the aneurysm and be replaced with a graft. The graft can be made with a piece of blood vessel taken from another place in the body or it can be synthetic. A synthetic graft is made out of an elastic material and is similar to a normal healthy aorta. It gives your artery support to prevent the aneurysm getting bigger.

Prevention

    * do not smoke
    * have your blood pressure checked regularly
    * exercise regularly
    * maintain a healthy weight.

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