An aortic aneurysm is a bulging or ballooning of the wall of the aorta, which is the largest artery in the body. When an aneurysm occurs in the portion of the aorta that runs through the stomach, it’s called an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Abdominal aortic aneurysms (or AAAs) are the most common type of aneurysm, most often affecting older men. Each year around 200,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with an abdominal aortic aneurysm, a condition that can become life-threatening if it ruptures.
At Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG) Vascular Center, we have the specialized training and experience needed to diagnose and treat abdominal aortic aneurysms. If you experience one, you can get the care you need close to home.
What causes an abdominal aortic aneurysm?
An abdominal aortic aneurysm develops when the aorta wall weakens. As blood flows through the artery, the wall weakens further and the aorta expands, causing it to balloon outward.
Anyone can develop an AAA, but certain factors make it more likely. Risk factors for abdominal aortic aneurysm include:
- Being 65 or older
- Being male
- Being obese
- Experiencing trauma such as a car accident or fall
- Having a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysms
- Having certain genetic or familial conditions
- Having high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, COPD or certain kidney diseases
- Smoking
- Using illegal stimulants such as cocaine
Of these risk factors, a family history of aneurysm is perhaps most significant. The risk of developing an AAA is 1 in 5 for those who have a parent, sibling or child with the condition.
What are the symptoms of an abdominal aortic aneurysm?
In many cases people who have an AAA do not experience any symptoms. Abdominal aortic aneurysms are often discovered during imaging scans for unrelated medical issues.
Symptoms are more likely to occur when an aneurysm is close to rupturing. Those symptoms may include:
- Pain in the lower back or abdomen
- Pain radiating into the leg, groin or pelvis
- Pulsing in the abdomen that feels like a heartbeat
A ruptured AAA may cause other symptoms including:
- Clammy or sweaty skin
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Fast heartbeat
- Low blood pressure
- Shortness of breath
A ruptured aneurysm is an emergency, so if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, call 911.
How is an abdominal aortic aneurysm diagnosed?
If you’re experiencing symptoms that may be caused by an AAA, a medical provider can use several tools to determine a diagnosis beginning with a thorough physical exam. During this exam the provider will manually feel the abdomen and listen for changes in blood flow.
Other tests used to confirm a diagnosis may include:
- Abdominal duplex ultrasound, which can identify an aneurysm and examine blood flow in the aorta
- A CTA, or computed tomography angiogram, which assesses aneurysm size, location and severity
Ultrasound is also used as part of AAA screening. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends a one-time screening for men ages 65 to 75 who have ever smoked.
How is an abdominal aortic aneurysm treated?
Treatment for an abdominal aortic aneurysm varies depending on a number of factors, including the size and severity of the aneurysm, as well as its risk of rupture. A treatment plan may include both nonsurgical treatment options and vascular surgery:
Lifestyle changes
The lifestyle habits that benefit your heart also benefit your vascular system including your aorta. If you smoke, quitting is the most important thing you can do for your health. According to the National Institutes of Health the risk of rupture drops after quitting smoking, particularly for women.
Eating a heart-healthy diet, finding healthy ways to manage stress and being physically active can also slow the growth of an aneurysm and protect your health.
Medications
A number of medications may be used to treat an abdominal aortic aneurysm by mitigating risk factors. This may include blood thinners, medications to lower blood pressure or medications to reduce cholesterol.
Surgery
Large or rapidly growing AAAs may require surgical treatment. Vascular surgery to treat an abdominal aortic aneurysm may be performed in an open procedure or using endovascular techniques.
Many AAA repairs can now be performed in a minimally invasive way through endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). During this catheter-based procedure a tiny device is inserted through small punctures in the groin, then moved upward to the aorta, where it is used to reinforce the artery wall. Following EVAR most patients require only a one- or two-night stay in the hospital.
In some cases, an open procedure may be necessary. During an open AAA repair the aorta is accessed through an abdominal incision. The aneurysm is removed from the aorta and replaced with an artificial graft.
Choose NGPG for abdominal aortic aneurysm treatment
If you develop an abdominal aortic aneurysm, you can access advanced treatment options through NGPG Vascular Center. Our vascular and endovascular specialists have training and expertise in diagnosing and treating AAAs, including those requiring surgery.
Whenever possible, we offer our patients access to endovascular aneurysm repair, which provides many benefits, including a quicker recovery and lower risk of complications. These procedures are performed in an endovascular suite at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, a specially created environment featuring the latest technology and imaging tools.