Abdominal Aortic Disease

The aorta is the body's largest artery, and the major vessel that carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the body. There is potential for this artery to enlarge, sometimes to the point that it may even rupture or burst. When it enlarges, it is called an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA). AAA's are the tenth leading cause of death in men over 50 in the US (AVA .03). Ruptures account for about 20,000 deaths each year. Two major controllable risk factors are to prevent this problem are:

• smoking
• high blood pressure.

Non-controllable risk factors include:

• heredity
• male sex, and
• age.

Even in the absence of these factors, however, AAA's can occur. The wall of the artery becomes weak and thin, resulting in expansion or ballooning of the vessel. If left untreated, it will continue to expand and has the potential to rupture if not treated. Rupture is often fatal.

Many patients with an AAA experience minor if any symptoms. Back pain or vague abdominal discomfort may occur. Treatment may include repair of the aneurysm, either by conventional open surgery or the newer minimally invasive endovascular therapy.

To diagnose the size and extent of an aneurysm, your physician will order a simple ultrasound scan. This is painless and non-invasive, and can be done quickly and easily. In general, treatment will be considered for an aneurysm that has one or more of these characteristics:

1. Measures more than 5.0 cm.
2. Is more than twice the size of a patient's normal aorta
3. Growth over a short period of time is significant
4. Symptoms are evident (back or abdominal pain)

Diagnosis and treatment promote cure in 95% of cases.

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