What is an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm?

Answer 1

abdominal aortic aneurysm...... this is when the main artery from your heart that passes blood through your stomach is blocked. caused by clotting. an abdominal aorticaneurysm is a serious life threatening condition and should be treated immediately. if the aneurysm reaches to a point where it bursts the person may only have minutes even seconds left to live. the symptoms of an abdominal aortic aneurysm are.... pulsating of the stomach... abdominal cramps or stiff feeling pains in the lower back.. you may feel Daisy or light headed when exercising or lifting heavy objects. tiredness, decreased appetite, these are only a few of the symptoms, if you are curious and want more information the do not hesitate to contact your local GP after all that's what there their for. thanks Andy cardiovascular surgeon

abdominal aortic aneurysm...... this is when the main artery from your heart that passes blood through your stomach is blocked. caused by clotting. an abdominal aorticaneurysm is a serious life threatening condition and should be treated immediately. if the aneurysm reaches to a point where it bursts the person may only have minutes even seconds left to live. the symptoms of an abdominal aortic aneurysm are.... pulsating of the stomach... abdominal cramps or stiff feeling pains in the lower back.. you may feel Daisy or light headed when exercising or lifting heavy objects. tiredness, decreased appetite, these are only a few of the symptoms, if you are curious and want more information the do not hesitate to contact your local GP after all that's what there their for. thanks Andy cardiovascular surgeon

Answer 2

To whom it may help: I have beeen diagnosis with a saccular abdominal aortic aneurysm just above the bifurcation with largest AP caliber being 4.4cm. The lenght of the aneurysm is almost 6.0 cm. Could you please tell me the implications of this?...if this breaks down.?... How dangerous could be if that happens?...What treatment it is recomended?..Does it need surgery?... Thank you I will be waiting for somebody to answer me. Have anice day. Nora

Answer 3

My mum had one. For many years from about mid 40's onward she had pain when walking. She was diagnosed with bursitis first of all, then it was thought she needed a hip operation, and finally, (after about 15 years of hip pain when walking very far ), it was decided she had an aortic aneurysm (UK NHS). They decided to operate but thankfully scanned first - it was inoperable, and, by this time, she was given a few years.

In summary - discomfort to pain when walking far. She used to say 'I feel as if I'm walking like a crab'.

Answer 4

abdominal aortic aneurysm...... this is when the main artery from your heart that passes blood through your stomach is blocked. caused by clotting. an abdominal aorticaneurysm is a serious life threatening condition and should be treated immediately. if the aneurysm reaches to a point where it bursts the person may only have minutes even seconds left to live. the symptoms of an abdominal aortic aneurysm are.... pulsating of the stomach... abdominal cramps or stiff feeling pains in the lower back.. you may feel Daisy or light headed when exercising or lifting heavy objects. tiredness, decreased appetite, these are only a few of the symptoms, if you are curious and want more information the do not hesitate to contact your local GP after all that's what there their for. thanks Andy cardiovascular surgeon

abdominal aortic aneurysm...... this is when the main artery from your heart that passes blood through your stomach is blocked. caused by clotting. an abdominal aorticaneurysm is a serious life threatening condition and should be treated immediately. if the aneurysm reaches to a point where it bursts the person may only have minutes even seconds left to live. the symptoms of an abdominal aortic aneurysm are.... pulsating of the stomach... abdominal cramps or stiff feeling pains in the lower back.. you may feel Daisy or light headed when exercising or lifting heavy objects. tiredness, decreased appetite, these are only a few of the symptoms, if you are curious and want more information the do not hesitate to contact your local GP after all that's what there their for. thanks Andy cardiovascular surgeon

Answer 5

When classifying abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) one of the elements evaluated is the location. Infrarenal means that the AAA is below the level of the renal arteries, which are the 2 branches of the aorta that supply the kidneys. Depending on an aneurysm's location, the treatment options will vary.

Answer 6

Abdominal aortic aneurysms occur most often in people age 65 and older. White males who have ever smoked are at higher risk than the general population. Having high blood pressure or a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysms are also risk factors. An abdominal ultrasound is the most common diagnostic tool and those who fit into any of these high risk categories should have one of these quick and painless procedures done.

Answer 7

Definition

An abdominal aortic aneurysm is when the large blood vessel that supplies blood to the abdomen, pelvis, and legs becomes abnormally large or balloons outward.

Alternative Names

Aneurysm - aortic; AAA

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

The exact cause is unknown, but risk factors for developing an aortic aneurysm include:

• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Male gender
• Emphysema
• Genetic factors
• Obesity

An abdominal aortic aneurysm can develop in anyone, but is most often seen in males over 60 who have one or more risk factors. The larger the aneurysm, the more likely it is to rupture and break open.

Symptoms

Aneurysms develop slowly over many years and often have no symptoms. If an aneurysm expands rapidly, tears open (ruptured aneurysm), or blood leaks along the wall of the vessel (aortic dissection), symptoms may develop suddenly.

The symptoms of rupture include:

• Pain in the abdomen or back -- severe, sudden, persistent, or constant. The pain may radiate to the groin, buttocks, or legs.
• Clammy skin
• Nausea and vomiting
• Rapid heart rate
• Shock

Signs and tests

Your doctor will examine your abdomen. The exam also will include an evaluation of pulses and sensation in your legs. The doctor may find:

• Abdominal mass
• Stiff or rigid abdomen
• Pulsating sensation in the abdomen

You may have an abdominal aortic aneurysm that is not causing any symptoms or problems. Your doctor may have found out about this problem from special tests called ultrasound of the abdomenor CT scan of the abdomen.

Either of these tests may be done when you're having symptoms.

Treatment

If you have bleeding inside your body from an aortic aneurysm, you will have open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

If the aneurysm is small and there are no symptoms:

• You and your doctor must decide whether the risk of having surgery is smaller than the risk of bleeding if you do not have surgery.
• Your doctor may recommend checking the size of the aneurysm with a yearly ultrasound test, to see if the aneurysm is getting bigger.

Surgery is usually recommended for patients who have aneurysms bigger than 2 inches or 5.5 cm across and aneurysms that are growing quickly. The goal is to perform surgery before complications or symptoms develop.

There are two approaches to surgery:

• In a traditional (open) repair, a large cut is made in your abdomen. The abnormal vessel is replaced with a graft made of man-made material, such as Dacron.
• The other approach is called endovascular stent grafting. This procedure can be done without making a large cut in your abdomen, so you may get well faster. Endovascular repair is rarely done for a leaking or bleeding aneurysm.

Expectations (prognosis)

The outcome is usually good if an experienced surgeon repairs the aneurysm before it ruptures. However, less than 40% of patients survive a ruptured abdominal aneurysm.

Complications

When an abdominal aortic aneurysm ruptures, it is a true medical emergency. Aortic dissection occurs when the innermost lining of the artery tears and blood leaks into the wall of the artery. This most commonly occurs in the aorta within the chest.

Complications include:

• Arterial embolism
• Heart attack
• Hypovolemic shock
• Kidney failure
• Stroke

Calling your health care provider

Go to the emergency room or call 911 if you have pain in your belly or back that does not go away or is very bad.

Prevention

To reduce the risk of developing aneurysms:

• Eat a heart-healthy diet, exercise, stop smoking (if you smoke), and reduce stress to help lower your chances of having a blocked artery again.
• Your health care provider may give you medicine to help lower your cholesterol.
• If you were given medicines for blood pressure or Diabetes, take them as your doctor has asked you to.

Men over age 65 who have ever smoked should have a screening ultrasound performed once.

References

Gloviczki P, Ricotta JJ II. Aneurysmal vascular disease. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 65.

Greenhalgh RM, Powell JT. Endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm. N Engl J Med. 2008;358:494-501.

Lederle FA, Kane RL, MacDonald R, Wilt TJ. Systematic review: repair of unruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. Ann Intern Med. 2007;146:735-741.

Isselbacher EM. Diseases of the aorta. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, mann DL, Zipes DP. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 56.

Answer 8

Definition

An abdominal aortic aneurysm is when the large blood vessel that supplies blood to the abdomen, pelvis, and legs becomes abnormally large or balloons outward.

Alternative Names

Aneurysm - aortic; AAA

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

The exact cause is unknown, but risk factors for developing an aortic aneurysm include:

• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Male gender
• Emphysema
• Genetic factors
• Obesity

An abdominal aortic aneurysm can develop in anyone, but is most often seen in males over 60 who have one or more risk factors. The larger the aneurysm, the more likely it is to rupture and break open.

Symptoms

Aneurysms develop slowly over many years and often have no symptoms. If an aneurysm expands rapidly, tears open (ruptured aneurysm), or blood leaks along the wall of the vessel (aortic dissection), symptoms may develop suddenly.

The symptoms of rupture include:

• Pain in the abdomen or back -- severe, sudden, persistent, or constant. The pain may radiate to the groin, buttocks, or legs.
• Clammy skin
• Nausea and vomiting
• Rapid heart rate
• Shock

Signs and tests

Your doctor will examine your abdomen. The exam also will include an evaluation of pulses and feeling in your legs. The doctor may find:

• A lump (mass) in the abdomen
• Pulsating sensation in the abdomen
• Stiff or rigid abdomen

You may have an abdominal aortic aneurysm that is not causing any symptoms or problems. Your doctor may find this problem by doing the following tests:

• CT scan of the abdomen
• Ultrasound of the abdomen

Either of these tests may be done when you're having symptoms.

Treatment

If you have bleeding inside your body from an aortic aneurysm, you will have open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

If the aneurysm is small and there are no symptoms:

• You and your doctor must decide whether the risk of having surgery is smaller than the risk of bleeding if you do not have surgery.
• Your doctor may recommend checking the size of the aneurysm with ultrasound tests every 6 months, to see if the aneurysm is getting bigger.

Surgery is usually recommended for patients who have aneurysms bigger than 2 inches (5.5 cm) across and aneurysms that are growing quickly. The goal is to perform surgery before complications or symptoms develop.

There are two approaches to surgery:

• In a traditional (open) repair, a large cut is made in your abdomen. The abnormal vessel is replaced with a graft made of man-made material, such as Dacron.
• The other approach is called endovascular stent grafting. This procedure can be done without making a large cut in your abdomen, so you may get well faster. If you have certain other medical problems, this may be a safer approach. Endovascular repair is rarely done for a leaking or bleeding aneurysm.

Expectations (prognosis)

The outcome is usually good if an experienced surgeon repairs the aneurysm before it ruptures. However, less than 80% of patients survive a ruptured abdominal aneurysm.

Complications

When an abdominal aortic aneurysm ruptures, it is a true medical emergency. Aortic dissection occurs when the innermost lining of the artery tears and blood leaks into the wall of the artery. This most commonly occurs in the aorta within the chest.

Complications include:

• Arterial embolism
• Heart attack
• Hypovolemic shock
• Kidney failure
• Stroke

Calling your health care provider

Go to the emergency room or call 911 if you have pain in your belly or back that does not go away or is very bad.

Prevention

To reduce the risk of developing aneurysms:

• Eat a heart-healthy diet, exercise, stop smoking (if you smoke), and reduce stress to help lower your chances of having a blocked artery again.
• Your health care provider may give you medicine to help lower your cholesterol.
• If you were given medicines for blood pressure or diabetes, take them as your doctor has asked you to.

People over age 65 who have smoked at any time in their life should have a screening ultrasound performed once.

References

Gloviczki P, Ricotta JJ II. Aneurysmal vascular disease. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 65.

Greenhalgh RM, Powell JT. Endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm. N Engl J Med. 2008;358:494-501.

Lederle FA, Kane RL, MacDonald R, Wilt TJ. Systematic review: repair of unruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. Ann Intern Med. 2007;146:735-741.

Braverman AC, Thompson RW, Sanchez LA. Diseases of the aorta. In: Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP, Libby P, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 60.

Reviewed By

Review Date: 01/04/2012

A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, and David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by John A. Daller, MD, PhD, Department of Surgery, University of Arkansas Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (8/1/2011).

Answer 9

very high