Your Trusted Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)Treatment and Prevention Experts In South Dakota
What is Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
The aorta is the largest artery in the body, and when it becomes enlarged in the abdomen it is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm, or AAA (“triple A”). This can be potentially life-threatening and is currently the 10th leading cause of death in men over age 55. Treatment of an AAA depends on the size and how fast it is growing.
Symptoms of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
Most AAA grow very slowly and do not cause symptoms. Unfortunately, this can make them difficult to detect. When aneurysms are small, the rarely rupture but as size increases the likelihood of rupture increases significantly. Potential symptoms of a larger AAA include:
- Abdominal pain in the middle or side
- Flank pain
- Back pain
- Pulsating mass near the bellybutton
Risk Factors of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
The most common risk factor is tobacco use, such as cigarette smoking. In fact, any male between 65-75 years with any history of tobacco smoking should be screened for a AAA with a one-time ultrasound test to rule out aneurysm formation. Additional risk factors include:
Age
White men
Family history
Other aneurysms
Screeningof Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
The US Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends a one-time AAA screening using ultrasound for men ages 65-75 who have smoked tobacco at any time in their life to rule out abdominal aortic aneurysm. Additionally, men without a history of smoking but with other risk factors for AAA may be screened as well.
Diagnosis of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
Since many small to medium sized abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) do not cause symptoms, the majority of AAA are discovered during an exam or imaging test performed for another reason.
- Ultrasound. An ultrasound of your abdomen is the primary screening test to diagnose AAA. It is painless, fast, and relatively inexpensive. Sound waves are used to observe how blood flows through the aorta.
- If the AAA is large or getting bigger, frequent ultrasound scans may be required.
- CT Angiography. If X-ray or Ultrasound suggests a AAA may be present, a CT scan with IV contrast will be recommended to obtain precise measurements. This scan gives the doctor a 3-dimensional image of your internal organs, including the aorta.
Treatment of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
The majority of AAA can be treated conservatively by managing cardiovascular risk factors such as blood pressure control, smoking cessation, and exercise. Options to repair the aneurysm depend on age, location, and other factors.
Most AAA are repaired by cardiologists or vascular surgeons through very small incisions in the groin. Using a small mesh tube called a stent graft, the aneurysm is sealed off to prevent it from growing and rupturing.
If EVAR cannot be performed, a vascular surgeon will perform open aneurysm repair. While this is very effective, it is major surgery with a long recovery time.
Potential Complications: The most feared complication of AAA is sudden tearing or rupture of the abdominal aorta. In over 60% of cases a ruptured AAA is fatal.
If you have sudden, severe pain in the abdomen or back associated with rapid pulse call 911 immediately.
Experienced Care for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Symptoms in the Black Hills
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), please call Black Hills Heart and Vascular at (605) 503-8192 to schedule a consultation or to obtain a second opinion. Black Hills Heart and Vascular has the only board-certified vascular surgeon in the West River region.
