What is AAA?

An aortic aneurysm is a weak area in 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.

The most common site for an aortic aneurysm to occur is below the area where the aorta divides to supply blood to the kidneys and above where it divides to supply blood to the pelvis and legs. An aneurysm in this location is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).
A small aneurysm may require no treatment other than checking the aneurysm regularly to be certain it does not grow. If an aneurysm reaches a certain size, however, treatment is often necessary.

How Common is AAA?

Abdominal aortic aneurysm occurs in from 5 percent to 7 percent of people over the age of 60 in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 250 people over the age of 50 will die of a ruptured AAA. The condition is the 17th leading cause of death in the U.S., accounting for approximately 15,000 deaths each year.

Who is at risk?

AAA occurs most often in people over the age of 60, and males are four times more likely to have the condition than females. Smoking also is a significant risk factor for AAA, and people who have a family history of AAA or other aneurysm also are at higher risk. Atherosclerosis (sometimes called "hardening of the arteries"), a history of heart disease, or high blood pressure may also put you at higher risk. If you are in a risk category for AAA, you should discuss with your physician whether you should be tested for the condition.

What are the symptoms of AAA?

AAA is sometimes called a "silent killer" because, in most cases of ruptured aneurysm, there are no warning symptoms. When symptoms are present, the most common ones are:

• intense abdominal pain that may be constant or come and go
• pain in the lower back that may radiate to the buttocks, groin or legs
• the feeling of a "heart beat" or pulse in the abdomen
• fatigue
• the aneurysm can sometimes be felt as a soft mass in the abdomen

If an aneurysm expands rapidly, tears open or bursts, or if blood leaks along the wall of the blood vessel (aortic dissection) severe symptoms may develop suddenly. A ruptured aneurysm is life-threatening and requires immediate emergency care. These symptoms may include:

• severe pain that begins suddenly
• paleness
• rapid pulse
• dry mouth/skin and excessive thirst
• anxiety
• nausea and vomiting
• lightheadedness or fainting
• excessive sweating or clammy skin
• shock

If you experience these symptoms, seek immediate emergency care. 

How is AAA treated?

If an aneurysm is small, it may require no treatment other than "watchful waiting." The aneurysm should be monitored by a vascular specialist who will order periodic ultrasound exams or other tests to determine if the aneurysm is growing. Many aneurysms remain small and pose no significant risk. If an aneurysm reaches a certain size or grows at a rapid rate, repair may be necessary to prevent rupture. A normal aorta is approximately 2.3 centimeters (1 inch) in diameter in men and 1.9 centimeters (3/4 inch) in women. In general, an aneurysm that grows in size to 5 centimeters (approximately 2 inches) will require repair.

There are two methods to repair AAA:

• Open Surgical Repair. The traditional treatment for AAA is a surgical procedure. An incision is made in the abdomen and the surgeon opens the aneurysm and sews in place a vascular graft - a tube made of cloth that lines the weakened area of the aorta, blocking the supply of blood to the aneurysm.
• Endovascular Repair. In this minimally invasive technique, a catheter, or small tube, is inserted into the blood vessels through a small incision in the groin. Under X-ray guidance, a vascular graft is delivered through the catheter and placed inside the aneurysm.

The final decision to repair an aneurysm and the method of repair will depend on a number of factors, including the nature of the aneurysm and the patient's overall health.

*Information provided courtesy of the Society of Interventional Radiology