The aorta is the largest artery in the body. Its abdominal branch carries blood throughout the abdomen and to the arteries that service the lower body. An aneurysm in the abdominal aorta is the result of a weak spot in the blood vessel's wall, leading to its ballooning out. These bulges can lead to thinning of the already weakened wall, putting a patient at risk of having the artery burst.
Symptoms
An aneurysm in the abdominal aorta can cause a variety of symptoms, the Vascular Web website explains. Patients often experience a pulsing sensation in the abdomen that feels similar to a heartbeat. Other symptoms include severe pain that occurs suddenly in the lower back or abdomen. Vascular Web also notes that sometimes material that gets shed from the aneurysm can cause discoloration, pain and sores on the feet and toes.
Diagnosis
In some cases an abdominal aortic aneurysm is discovered during a routine physical exam when a doctor detects a pulsating mass in the patient's abdomen, according to the Mayo Clinic. A definitive diagnosis of this type of vascular problem requires imaging of the abdominal aorta, typically using ultrasound, MRI or CT scan. This allows the physician to see the bulge in the wall and also to determine its size, which may guide treatment.
Treatment
If an abdominal aortic aneurysm is small and not causing any symptoms, doctors may choose to not treat it, Medline explains. In these cases the aneurysm is monitored to see if it is growing. Anuerysms that are more than 2 inches in diameter or are growing rapidly usually require surgery and replacement with a graft. This can be done using traditional open surgery, which uses a large incision, or a less invasive approach called endovascular stent grafting. Endovascular stent grafting usually cannot be used for an aneurysm that is bleeding or leaking fluid into the abdominal cavity, however.
Complications
The biggest risk of an abdominal aortic aneurysm is rupture. If this happens, it can lead to massive internal bleeding, which can be fatal. Medline notes that symptoms of a rupture include intense pain in the abdomen or lower back that radiates down the legs, a rapid heart rate, clammy skin and nausea. Abdominal aortic aneurysms can also be centers for blood clots, which can then break off and form small emboli, potentially leading to a heart attack or stroke.
Risk Factors
Abdominal aortic aneurysms are more common in patients as they age, particularly for males. Smoking is also thought to be a risk factor in developing this type of vascular condition. Vascular Web also notes that patients with atherosclerosis are more likely to develop aneurysms, possibly because the inflammation that atherosclerosis causes can weaken the walls of the abdominal aorta.
