Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA or triple A) is a localized enlargement of the abdominal aorta such that the diameter is greater than 3 cm or more than 50% larger than normal diameter. They usually cause no symptoms except when ruptured. This is an abnormal dilation of an artery that appears as a sac-like bulge protruding from the vessel on medical imaging. Blood flow instead of being directed straight through the artery as in healthy examples can be partially diverted into this dilation and can exert pressures on it from the inside which can further deteriorate the artery’s integrity.
If allowed to progress an aneurysm can cause the blood vessel wall to rupture. This can be catastrophic leading to haemorrhage loss of oxygen to the tissues supplied to the blood vessel and death. Aneurisms most commonly occur in parts of the vasculature with thin vessel walls or uniquely high pressures such as in arteries in the brain and the thoracic or abdominal aorta the chief artery leading from the heart.
Abdominal aortic aneurysms often grow slowly and usually without symptoms making them difficult to detect. Some aneurysms will never rupture. Many start small and stay small although many expand over time. Others expand quickly. Predicting how fast an abdominal aortic aneurysm may enlarge is difficult. Symptoms are largely dependent on the location of the aneurysm and the associated structures that may be affected. In cerebral aneurysms they can affect neurological function through your vision balance memory and even your speech. They most commonly also cause headaches pain and weakness on one side of the face. Should a cerebral aneurysm rupture an individual can expect extremely intense pain further deterioration in the aforementioned symptoms and potentially seizures or total loss of consciousness.
Not smoking is the single best way to prevent the disease. Other methods of prevention include treating high blood pressure treating high blood cholesterol and not being overweight. Surgery is usually recommended when an AAA's diameter grows to >5.5 cm in males and >5.0 cm in females. Depending on its exact location it may present alongside back and abdominal pain. Should an aortic aneurysm rupture you will feel an intense pain in your chest or abdomen alongside dizziness a faster heartbeat and maybe loss of consciousness. Unfortunately due to the size of the aorta ruptured aneurysms are fatal without medical intervention.
Treatment is decided on a case-by-case basis depending on the severity and location of the aneurism age medical history family history and any other medical conditions that may have an influence. Sometimes if a clinician decides that any associated risks of treatment outweigh the benefit of intervention as is sometimes the case in cerebral aneurysms the aneurysm is left under observation and the patient is prescribed medication to reduce their blood pressure.
Depending on the size and exact location of the aneurysm your doctor may perform surgery to repair or remove the damaged tissue. This may be done either with open abdominal surgery or endovascular surgery. The surgery performed will depend on your overall health and the type of aneurysm.
Cerebral aneurysms are commonly treated by coiling them which involves inserting a thin tube into an artery into your leg and guiding it towards the aneurysm whereupon the aneurysm is sealed by passing tiny metal coils into it. Neurosurgical clipping is an alternative that physically seals the aneurism with a metal clip which the artery will subsequently heal over.
Aortic aneurysms can also treated surgically in a similar manner to endovascular coiling. However after a tube is guided through an artery in the leg to the site of the aneurysm a graft is then sealed along the inside of the aortic wall as the use of coils is impossible in these considerably larger aneurysms. Open surgery is also an option whereby the surgeon will use a synthetic graft to replace the abnormal section of the aorta.
This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Doctors Catalog has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but makes no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. In the event of an emergency, please call 108 for immediate assistance.
