Understanding Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

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An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a formation of an outpoutching structure in the aortic artery of the abdomen that is a result of a weakened arterial wall. The aorta is one of the largest arteries found in your body that supplies major organs such as the liver and kidneys. Abdominal aortic aneurysms comprise about 75% of recorded aortic aneurism cases in America.

CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS OF ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURISM

The exact cause of abdominal aortic aneurism (AAA) is unknown. However, there are certain environmental factors that can predispose a person or place you at risk to forming AAA.

Tobacco use has been attributed to formation of AAA. Tobacco has a multitude of chemicals that can harm the body, and also cause sclerotic changes on blood vessels.

Hypertension is another major cause of AAA. If you have hypertension and you do not comply with your medication daily, you are at high risk in forming AAA. Hypertension causes weakening of the arterial walls because of the force of blood running through the arteries. The weakened arterial walls are will eventually give way, forming an outpouching structure that result to an aneurysm.

Vasculitis or an infection the aorta can also cause an aneurysm. The inflammation causes weakness on the arterial walls that may result to aneurism formation.

Diabetes that is uncontrolled can cause several damages in your arteries, and that includes aneurysm.

Atherosclerosis is also a common cause of AAA. The plaque that sticks to your arterial walls will weaken the structure, causing it to give way to the force of blood that passes through the lumen.

Other risk factors include:

o Old age
o Males have more risk in forming AAA than women
o Marfan syndrome
o Family history of aneurysm

Signs and Symptoms of Aortic Aneurysm

Abdominal aortic aneurysm is typically asymptomatic. They are commonly detected through routine abdominal ultrasound that is done for other purposes. The person who is undergoing ultrasound is often surprised to find out that he has an aneurysm for he generally does not experience any signs and symptoms that would indicate the presence of such a condition. An abdominal aortic aneurysm will eventually show clinical manifestations once they are large enough to be palpable. Signs and symptoms often include:

A pulsating abdominal mass

Abdominal pain that radiates to the back

Feeling of fullness even though small quantities of food have been consumed

Nausea and vomiting

Treatment of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Treatment of AAA depends on the size of the aneurysm and the severity of symptoms that it presents. Usually, a small aneurysm is left alone unless it causes a disturbance in the body. There is more risk involved to touching the aneurysm than just leaving it alone, so surgery is only done only when necessary. Surgery is indicated if your aneurysm is larger than 5.5cm, grows at a rate of 1.0 cm per year, and it is causing you pain and discomfort. It is considered a medical emergency if your aneurysm ruptures, prompting the need for immediate surgical intervention to prevent loss of blood.

Open surgery is the traditional method of treating AAA. Your abdomen is cut open to expose the aorta. The affected artery is replaced with a graft that can be of a piece of blood vessel taken from another person, or made from synthetic material.

Stent graft insertion is done by placing a stent along with the graft. It is done by inserting a catheter through your femoral artery (located at your groin area) to reach your aorta. The stent is carefully positioned and the aneurysm is then protected from any pressure that may result to rupture. This surgery is not advised for everyone for it involves going through your arterial network to reach your aorta.

If you are diagnosed with AAA, keep up with your routine check-ups to monitor the size of your aneurysm. Keep yourself active and try to lose weight if you are obese. Your doctor will recommend a series of lifestyle modification that will help you take care of your aneurysm.

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