CONDITIONS TREATED
Aortic Aneurysms
What is an Aortic Aneurysm?
An aneurysm is a dilatation of an artery as a result of weakening of the wall and when one occurs in the aorta it is usually in that part of the aorta that passes through the abdomen (abdominal aortic aneurysm). As the aorta is the largest artery in the body and carries all the blood pumped from the heart to the various parts of the body, any weak spot is at risk of bursting. The risk increases relative to the size of the aneurysm, with low risk if less than 5cm wide and increasingly greater risk of rupture as the aorta increases in size over time.
What symptoms may I have?
You may have an aortic aneurysm for some years without experiencing any symptoms, and when they do occur the symptoms will vary depending on the location of the aneurysm. You may have an aortic aneurysm for some years without experiencing any symptoms, and when they do occur the symptoms will vary depending on the location of the aneurysm. If the aortic aneurysm is in your abdomen you may feel a pulsating sensation there, with abdominal or back pain. If the aneurysm bursts, pain will intensify severely and emergency surgery is vital to stem the severe internal bleeding that would result.An aneurysm is one of the manifestations of arterial disease as a result of weakening of the structure of the arterial wall and you are more likely to develop this if:
- You are male and over 60
- You smoke
- A close relative had an aortic aneurysm
- Your blood pressure is high
- You are overweight and engage in little physical activity
Diagnosis
If, during physical examination, your doctor feels a pulsating mass in your abdomen accompanied by tenderness in that area, this may mean a large abdominal aortic aneurysm is present. Further imaging tests will be able to confirm this, ultrasound or CT scan to define exact size and position of the aneurysm (see Imaging Services section for details).
Treatment/Surgical Intervention
The symptoms you are experiencing and the size of your aneurysm will indicate what treatment is best for you. Early diagnosis is vital to avoid the risk of the aneurysm rupturing as the majority of people do not survive this.
It may be possible to live with an abdominal aortic aneurysm of less than 5cm for several years as the risk of death from very small aneurysms is less than that from surgery in some cases. Regular ultrasound checks are an advisable precaution to monitor if the aneurysm is growing and elective surgery may then be best advice. Lifestyle choices - such as better diet, stopping smoking, exercise - will help you manage the risk better. The better your general health, the more suitable you will be for surgery if the aneurysm grows to be larger than 5cm.
There are two usual surgical options - open surgery or minimally invasive (Dacron or Goretex). You may be offered the minimally invasive technique of placing a stent graft into your aorta via a small cut in your groin, through which the stent then travels up your leg artery until it reaches the aneurysm in your abdomen. This method avoids the need for open surgery but is not suitable for everyone.