Abdominal aortic aneurysm occurs when a portion of the aorta bulges out more than 3cm in diameter. It can affect any artery in your body, although the aorta is the most usually affected. The blood vessel wall becomes weak and fragile, and it has an 80 per cent chance of rupturing. This is usually classified as a vascular emergency that necessitates rapid medical attention in order to save the person's life.
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| abdominal aortic aneurysm |
Signs and symptoms of AAA
We'll try to list a few of these symptoms for your information.
Lower middle back, loin or pelvic pain
Dizziness
Light-headedness
Pulsating sensation in the abdomen
Faster heartbeat
Sweaty, pale and clammy skin
Fainting or passing out
Weight loss
Who is at the risk of developing abdominal aortic aneurysm?
The person who has history of
Hypertension
Diabetes mellitus
COPD
Raised cholesterol level
Positive family history of abdominal aortic aneurysm
Because smoking hardens the walls of blood arteries, making them more prone to dilatation, there is a history of smoking.
Causes of abdominal aortic aneurysm
Ageing
The loss of elastic lamellae, deterioration of their endothelium by leukocyte infiltration into the vessels, and loss of smooth muscle cells coupled with their proteolysis all enhance your chances of developing an aortic aneurysm as you become older.
As a result, in most nations, males over the age of 65 and women over the age of 70 undergo screening.
Atheroma development
The build-up of fatty substances or fat-like tissue alongside the lining of your blood vessels is known as atherosclerosis. Most of the time, atheroma will line your aortic aneurysm. The formation of these aggregates within your blood vessel walls can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
smoking
Male gender
Hypertension
Increased Blood cholesterol
Obesity
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Lack of regular exercise
Unhealthy eating habits
All of these factors have the potential to cause major health problems such as heart attacks and strokes.
Your genetic makeup plays a key part in putting you at risk for aneurysms.
Other persons who may develop these include those who have had a blood vessel injury, those who have been infected with tuberculosis or HIV, and those who have inherited diseases such Marfan's syndrome.
Examination
You doctor may examine your abdomen to detect any aneurysm by performing bimanual palpation of your abdomen above the umbilicus.
Sometimes, he can find flank bruising due to rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Investigations
The blood tests include full blood count, renal and clotting profile. ESR and CRP if any inflammatory disease is suspected.
Abdominal X-ray
Abdominal ultrasound to check the size and shape of aneurysm.
Abdominal CT scan for more details to know about aneurysm affecting the origin of other arteries like renal arteries coming from the aorta.
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| ultrasound scan of aortic aneurysm |
Treatment
Unfortunately, some non-modifiable risk variables, such as male gender or rising age, as well as some modifiable risk factors, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, increase the risk of rupture.
The rupture will cause a rush and pressure of blood inside the aorta, which it will not be able to hold, causing the aneurysm to burst. This can result in significant internal bleeding, which can be fatal. The type of treatment is determined by the size of the aneurysm.
If it is little or less than 5.5 cm in diameter, surgery is not recommended because the danger of death from surgery outweighs the chance of rupture. Serial ultrasound scans will be performed to see if the size of aneurysm is increasing.
Your vascular surgeon will operate if the aneurysm is more than 5.5 cm in diameter, however due to the patient's general poor health, this decision can be tough. However, if an aneurysm ruptures, a team of experts, including surgeons and anaesthetists, must prepare for an emergency treatment, which in 80 per cent of cases fails owing to internal bleeding.
When it comes to aneurysm surgery, there are two options to think about.
There are two types of procedures to consider for operating the aneurysm
1-Open abdominal surgery by performing laparotomy
2-Endovascular surgeries, in which the draft is used to support the weak part of blood vessel through the femoral artery.
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| Open surgey for aortic aneurysm |
Complications
Rupture of aorta
Aortic dissection
Blood clots Low blood pressure, slow breathing, palpitations, and abrupt back discomfort are all signs of a shock-like condition that necessitates immediate medical attention.
Lifestyle advice when the aneurysm is small less than 4.4cm
Atherosclerosis can cause atheroma plaques to form in other parts of the body, such as arteries leading to the brain and coronary arteries leading to the heart, resulting in major consequences.
As a result, patients with minor aneurysms should follow some general guidelines.
Quit smoking.
150 minutes of physical activity each week is recommended.
Limit your salt intake.
At least five pieces of vegetables and fruits should be consumed each day.
Alcohol should be consumed in moderation.
Informative content.
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