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| Aortic Aneurysm |
The aorta is a large artery arising from the heart and carries blood to the rest of the body. Aortic aneurysm is an abnormality of a localized area of the aorta characterized by widening or ballooning of the abnormal site. It commonly occurs in the abdominal aorta or the part of the aorta below the diaphragm. It is usually seen below the renal arteries which are the blood vessels going to the kidneys. Abdominal aorta supplies blood to the abdomen and the lower part of the body. This condition is common in males above 60 years old. The bigger the aneurysm, the greater the likelihood of rupture. It is life-threatening when it ruptures.
The exact cause of this condition is unknown. Some attribute it to the hardening of the arteries known as arteriosclerosis which causes weakness of the aortic wall. Cigarette smoking increases risk of developing the condition together with high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and obesity. Other causes include arteritis, genetic, connective tissue disease, and mycotic infection.
This condition is asymptomatic to most individuals. That’s why it is only discovered as an incidental finding when abdominal ultrasound or a CT scan is done for other conditions. When they do become symptomatic, pain is the most common symptom felt at the lower back or lower abdomen. The pain is described as severe, sudden, and may radiate to the groin, buttocks, or legs. There is also a pulsating sensation felt in the abdomen.
If the aneurysm is less than 5.5 cm wide and asymptomatic, periodic monitoring is usually done. But if it is more than 5.5 cm in diameter with symptoms and monitoring shows that it is rapidly increasing in size, rupture is common. Surgical repair is then recommended. |
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