Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)

Abdominal aortic aneurysm commonly referred to as AAA is a medical disorder characterized by severe localized enlargement of aorta leading to abdomen. It causes the aorta to enlarge by 50 percent of the normal diameter. Typically around 90 percent of total cases of abdominal aortic aneurysm take place below the kidneys. Chances of it occurring at the level of kidney or above the kidney are also possible. Such disorder can extend to include one or both of the iliac arteries of the pelvic region.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm typically affects in persons of the age groups between 65 to 75 years old. Abdominal aortic aneurysm is more common amongst men and smokers. Affected person is devoid of any symptoms, but can suffer from occasional pain in back and abdominal area or in legs caused by disturbed blood flow. Complication involved in abdominal aortic aneurysm is internal rupture and can cause internal bleeding in the abdominal cavity with the end result of death. Typical mortality is 60-90 percent of the patients admitted in the hospital, which is very alarming.

Classification of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Abdominal aortic aneurysm is mainly classified according their size and symptoms. a person is said to have developed aneurysm if the outer aortic diameter exceeds 3cm. normal aortic diameter is 2 cm. Abdominal aortic aneurysm is considered large if the outer diameter exceeds 5.5cm in size.

Signs and symptoms of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Large class of abdominal aortic aneurysm does not show any symptoms. But as the size of aneurysm increase, patients may increase pain in the abdomen with acute pulsating sensation in the abdomen, chest pain, lower back, or scrotum. Risk of rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysm makes it necessary to make an emergency surgical intervention by means of operating the patient. A ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm distinctly causes considerable pain in the patient's lower back, flank, groin, and abdomen. These may also involve complication like clammy skin, nausea, giddiness, vomiting, elevated blood pressure and increased heart beat rate, and mental shock.

Causes of Abdominal aortic aneurysm: Exact causes are hard to decipher, but typical pointers of developing abdominal aortic aneurysm are as follows:

• Excessive tobacco smoking is a main contributor in patients developing abdominal aortic aneurysm
• Hypertension
• Elevated cholesterol levels
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm is primarily found in males
• Hereditary or genetic factors are considered to be contributing towards developing Abdominal aortic aneurysm
• Obesity is also one of the contributors for developing Abdominal aortic aneurysm

Diagnosis of Abdominal aortic aneurysm: Typical diagnosis of abdominal aortic aneurysm starts with examination of abdomen which also includes legs to find pulsation feelings in legs. Purpose of doctor for carrying this examination is to find lumps in abdomen, stiffness or rigidity of the abdomen. Medical diagnosis is supported by carrying out CT scan of the abdomen and ultrasound of abdomen.

Treatment of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: If the diagnosis reveals internal bleeding from abdominal aortic aneurysm, then there is an urgent need of carrying out surgery. Surgery is typically recommended for the patients having abdominal aortic aneurysm of the size greater than 5.5 cm in size, also accompanied by growing of aneurysm. Purpose of surgery is performing surgery prior to the development of complications or symptoms in the patient involved.

There are two ways in which a surgery can be executed which can be as follows:

• First is the traditional open surgery in which surgeon makes a large incision in the abdomen of the patient. The abnormal blood vessel is replaced with graft made of manmade material called as Dacron.
• Second is the more modern method of surgery known as endovascular stent grafting; employs surgical method in which there is no need of making large incision in the abdomen, which helps in faster healing process of the patient. Comparatively, this method is much safer. But this method cannot be employed for complications involving internal bleeding.

Complications of Abdominal aortic aneurysm include heart attack, kidney failure, and heart stroke.

Prevention of Abdominal aortic aneurysm to reduce its risk is as follows:

• Eating heart healthy diet
• Abstinence from smoking
• Reducing stress
• Reducing cholesterol levels by referring to doctor and employing medication
• Taking regular medications if suffering from diabetes or hypertension

Abdominal aortic aneurysm is thus a dangerous affliction and cause serious damage to the digestive system. Do follow the precautionary measures so that you are affected by abdominal aortic aneurysm.