Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

An aortic aneurysm is a weak area in the wall of the aorta, the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. As blood flows through the aorta, the weak area bulges like a balloon and can burst if the balloon gets too big. A small aneurysm may require no immediate treatment other than “watchful waiting” – checking the aneurysm regularly to be certain it does not grow. Aneurysms can be diagnosed and followed with computerized tomography (CT) scans or abdominal ultrasound. If an aneurysm reaches a certain size, however, there is a danger that it will burst and bleed uncontrollably (hemorrhage). In these cases, treatment is necessary.

 

When an aneurysm reaches a certain size, treatment is necessary. Traditional surgical treatment for this is a major operation to replace the diseased part of the aorta with a graft, opening the aorta with a large abdominal incision. This operation may require a week or more hospitalization and months until full recovery. Interventional radiologists, working with surgeons, now can place a stent-graft from inside the aorta, with significantly less risk and shorter and more comfortable recovery. In addition, the treatment provides an alternative for patients who are too sick to undergo traditional surgery.