Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
The Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm is a bulge or swelling in the lower part of the aorta, the largest artery in the body, which carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
Causes of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
The exact cause of AAAs is not known, but some factors can increase the risk of developing them. These include:
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Smoking. Smoking can damage the walls of the arteries and raise blood pressure, which can weaken the aorta and make it more prone to bulging.
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High blood pressure. High blood pressure can also damage and weaken the aorta’s walls over time.
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Blood vessel diseases. Some diseases that cause inflammation or infection in the blood vessels can affect the aorta and cause AAAs.
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Trauma. Injuries to the abdomen or chest from accidents or surgery can damage the aorta and cause AAAs.
Symptoms of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Most AAAs do not cause any symptoms until they rupture or grow large enough to press on nearby organs or nerves. Some possible symptoms of an AAA are:
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Deep, constant pain in the belly area or side of the belly. This pain may be worse when lying down or moving around.
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Back pain. The pain may spread from the abdomen to the back or buttocks.
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A pulse near the bellybutton. This pulse may indicate that there is increased blood flow through an enlarged area of blood vessel.
If you have any of these symptoms, especially if they are sudden and severe, you should seek medical attention right away.
Diagnosis of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
AAAs are usually diagnosed by physical examination or imaging tests that show how big and where they are located in relation to other organs. Some common imaging tests for diagnosing AAAs are:
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CT scan. A CT scan uses X-rays to create detailed pictures of your abdomen and pelvis.
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Abdominal ultrasound. An abdominal ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of your internal organs and blood vessels.
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Chest X-ray. A chest X-ray can show if there is any compression of your lungs by an enlarged area of blood vessel in your chest.
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Abdominal MRI. An abdominal MRI uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of your abdomen and pelvis.
Your doctor may also check your blood pressure, pulse rate, and other vital signs during your examination.
Treatment of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
The treatment for an AAA depends on its size, location, growth rate, and whether it has ruptured or not.
Small (less than 5 cm) or slow-growing AAAs
Small or slow-growing AAAs may not require any treatment if they do not cause any symptoms or complications. Your doctor may monitor them with regular ultrasounds to check their size and growth rate.
Large (more than 5 cm) or fast-growing AAAs
Large or fast-growing AAAs may need treatment if they have ruptured or if they pose a risk of rupture in the future. The main treatment options for large AAAs are:
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During surgery, the affected section of the aorta is removed (called endovascular repair) or replaced (called open repair) with a synthetic graft. Because surgery has a lower risk of complications than open repair, it is usually recommended for large AAAs that rupture (called emergency repair).
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During endovascular repair, a catheter is inserted through a small incision in your groin and guided up to your abdomen where it delivers a stent graft that reinforces and replaces part of the damaged aortic wall. In spite of the fact that endovascular repair is less invasive than open surgery, there are still some risks associated with it, including bleeding, infection, stroke, kidney failure, nerve damage, device malfunction, graft failure, occlusion (blockage), migration (movement), embolism (clot), pseudoaneurysms (false bulges), endoleaks (leaks), conversion (open surgery), and death. AAAs that have not ruptured, but have grown rapidly over time are usually repaired endovascularly.
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In open surgery, you remove part or all of your damaged aortic wall and replace it with a synthetic graft made from animal tissue called Dac. Open surgery is more invasive than endovascular surgery. bleeding, stroke, kidney failure, nerve damage. Open repair is usually reserved for large AAAs that have ruptured or are very close to rupturing.
Before making a decision, ask your doctor about the benefits and risks of each treatment option based on your symptoms, medical history, physical examination, and imaging tests.
Prevention of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
The best way to prevent AAAs is to reduce the risk factors that can cause them. Some preventive measures are:
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Quit smoking. Smoking is one of the main causes of AAAs and quitting can lower your risk significantly .
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Control your blood pressure. High blood pressure can damage your arteries and make them more prone to bulging . You can control your blood pressure by taking medications, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and reducing stress.
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Treat blood vessel diseases. If you have any conditions that affect your blood vessels, such as atherosclerosis, vasculitis, or Marfan syndrome, you should follow your doctor’s advice and take medications as prescribed .
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Avoid trauma. If you have had any injuries or surgeries that may have damaged your aorta, you should avoid any activities that could cause further trauma, such as heavy lifting, straining, or contact sports .
Conclusion
It is important to be aware of the symptoms of abdominal aortic aneurysms and seek medical attention if you experience any of them. They can cause life-threatening complications. By quitting smoking, controlling your blood pressure, treating blood vessel diseases, and avoiding trauma, you can also reduce your risk of developing an AAA. If you follow these steps, you can protect your health and prevent AAAs from affecting your quality of life.
