The abdominal aorta is the largest artery in the abdomen. The aorta functions as the pathway the blood passes through to supply the whole body. In some cases, the abdominal aorta becomes weakened and starts to bulge. This weakening is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm. This type of aneurysm is usually asymptomatic and is difficult to diagnose. If left untreated, this condition can lead to many complications that can be deadly to the patient. Anticipating and knowing how to treat these complications can drastically improve the patient's prognosis.
Aortic Dissection
One of the more dire complications of an abdominal aortic aneurysm is the rupture of the aorta, or an aortic dissection, at the site of the aneurysm, according to American Family Physician. An aortic dissection can lead to potentially fatal internal bleeding. The larger the aortic aneurysm, the greater the chance that it will burst and tear the aorta. Sudden, intense pain is one of the most common symptoms of an aortic dissection. The pain is persistent, located at the chest and abdomen, and may radiate to the back or legs. Other symptoms include dizziness, low blood pressure, a rapid heart rate, loss of consciousness, sweatiness and difficulty breathing. Emergency surgery is needed to repair the rupture in the aorta. Patients die in more than 90 percent of cases if the rupture occurs outside of the hospital.
Embolus
Blood clots have a tendency to form in the area of the aortic aneurysm, reports MayoClinic.com. While these clots are too small to block a large blood vessel such as the aorta, they are large enough to block the smaller arteries. If the clot breaks off from the weakened aortic wall, it becomes an embolus. As the embolus moves towards smaller vessels it can become caught and begin to obstruct blood flow. The arteries supplying the legs, toes, kidneys, bladder and intestines can be clogged by an embolus.
Without a proper supply of blood, the organs downstream from the blocked artery begin to perish. If blood supply is not restored, then the organ can die and permanent damage will occur. Surgical intervention to remove the embolus is required to relieve this complication of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Heart Attack
In some cases, a blood clot forming in the area of the abdominal aortic aneurysm can break off and reach the arteries supplying the heart, states Medline Plus, a National Institutes of Health website. If the clot is large enough to occlude these arteries, then the patient will suffer a heart attack.
Once blood is no longer able to supply nutrients and oxygen to the muscles of the heart, the heart starts to become damaged. This damage can cause the heart to beat improperly or lead to complete stoppage of the heart, or cardiac arrest. If the heart and vessels supplying the heart cannot be repaired in time, the patient will die. Treatment includes medicines to dilate the blocked artery, medicines to dissolve the blood clot and surgery to remove the blocked blood vessel.
