In The Venue

An aneurysm is a localized widening of a blood vessel in an area. Aortic aneurysm would involve the aorta and could develop anywhere along the length of the aorta. The majority of aneurysm is located in the abdominal aorta. In most of the abdominal aneurysms are located under the renal arteries, the vessels, which leave the aorta and they go to kidneys. Two-third of abdominal aneurysm are not just limited to the aorta but get extended from the aorta into one or both the iliac arteries. Most of the abdominal aortic aneurysms are fusiform and are spindle shaped and widen all around the circumference of the aorta. The walls inside of the aneurysm are often lined with a blood clot that is like a piece of plywood.

The abdominal aortic aneurysm is mostly common after the age of 60 years. Males get affected five times more than females due to this disorder. Several studies show that about five percent of men above the age of sixty do develop an abdominal aortic aneurysm. There are several risk factors for abdominal aortic aneurysm and this includes cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes mellitus. Due to cigarette smoking it not only increases the risk of developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm but there is a chance of aneurysm rupture, which could be life-threatening and is a complicate the aortic aneurysm. The incidence of aortic aneurysm rupture will be very common in most of the smokers.

The most common cause of the abdominal aortic aneurysm is called arteriosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. In eighty percent of the aortic aneurysm are due to arteriosclerosis and this could weaken the aortic wall. The pressure of the blood that is being pumped through the aorta will cause expansion at the site of weakness. The other causes of aortic aneurysm could be due to hereditary factor. Individuals who are first-degree relatives who have abdominal aortic aneurysm will have higher risk of developing abdominal aortic aneurysm than the general population. These individuals will tend to develop the aneurysm at young age and will suffer aneurysm rupture than those people without such a history. Genetic disease, arteritis and mycotic infection are other causes of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

There is no specific symptom for abdominal aortic aneurysm as they are asymptomatic. These are often discovered when the abdominal ultrasounds or CT scan s studies are done for other conditions. The only symptom that they produce is pain and it is typically has a deep quality and it is boring into the person. The pain would predominant in the middle of the abdomen and could radiate into the back. The pain will be study and could be relieved by changing the position. The abdominal aortic aneurysm would remain asymptotic and will produce no or mild symptoms for many years. If the abdominal aortic aneurysm spreads rapidly then it could be severe and the patient will have unbearable pain.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm can be diagnosed clinically by health practitioner by checking the abdomen and by feeling the abnormal wide pulsation of the abdominal aorta. This will be generally felt in both sides if the aorta that is in the midline of the aorta. Large aneurysm will be difficult to detect in overweight people. Aneurysms that is on the verge of rupture and that is rapidly enlarging are mostly tender. There will be abnormal sound heard in the stethoscope due to the turbulence of blood within the aneurysm.

Ultrasonography will give a clear picture of abdominal aortic aneurysm and has an accuracy of 98 percent in measuring the size of the aneurysm and it is safe and noninvasive. Computerized tomography of the abdomen will be more accurate in detecting the size and extent of the aneurysm. But this method will use high doses of radiation and requires intravenous dye. MRI is also conducted to detect the abdominal aortic aneurysm.

The complication that could develop will be rupture in abdominal aortic aneurysm and could be catastrophic. The surgery treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm will prevent it from rupture. It would be done by opening the abdomen, find the aorta and remove the aneurysm. The less invasive procedure is endovascular surgery that allows the grafts to be guided within the blood vessel in to the site of aneurysm without the need of surgery. Not every aneurysm can be fixed in this manner and this would not provide long-term benefit to the patient.

Even though the post-operative course will be shorter, there should be close follow-up and further testing. For those patients who do not require surgical treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysm, medical treatment to prevent aneurysm expansion could include stop smoking, having control on the blood pressure and control the cholesterol levels. Some physicians would medicate the patients with beta-blockers like atenolol or metoprolol, which will lower the pressure within the blood vessel. Having a close watch on the growth of aneurysm will help prevent it from catastrophe.