Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) happens when the large blood vessel that supplies blood to the areas around the abdomen, pelvis, and legs becomes abnormally large. If this aneurysm becomes too thin and too large it can rupture, causing catastrophic bleeding. An abdominal aortic aneurysm seldom has symptoms, though some people may notice a pulsing sensation in their abdomen or experience back pain.
Risk factors for Abdominal aortic aneurysm include:
- Male gender
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- Family history of abdominal aortic aneurysm
- Advanced age
Detecting an AAA before it ruptures allows our team of highly-trained physicians, technicians, and clinical staff to assess the best treatment options for you. Aneurysms can be successfully managed and, if necessary, treated with surgery. Men over 65 with a history of smoking may qualify for an ultrasound under Medicare.
Learn more about symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatments and more with these patient resources/videos from the Society for Vascular Surgery.
Screening is the only way to detect an aortic aneurysm before symptoms appear.
Medicare Part B (medical insurance) covers a one-time abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening ultrasound if you’re at risk. You are considered ‘at risk’ if you meet the following criteria:
- A family history of abdominal aortic aneurysms
- You’re a male ages 65-75
- Have smoked at least 100 cigarettes in your lifetime
If you meet the above qualifications, call our Aortic Center to schedule your abdominal aortic screening at: 603.361.9604
Not meeting the above criteria but still concerned about aneurysm disease?
Talk to your primary care provider about screening at our dedicated Aortic Center within CMC’s New England Heart & Vascular Institute.
Lifestyle Adjustments and Medications
Some aneurysms, depending on their size, may not immediately require repair and can be monitored with repeated screening. Patients with an AAA should not smoke. If you have an AAA, you should also work with your primary care provider to manage your blood pressure and maintain a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet.
Interventional and Surgical Treatments
AAAs can be surgically repaired through an incision in the abdomen or through an endovascular procedure to insert a stent graft. Your vascular surgeon will work with you to determine the best approach based on your unique needs.
Fenestrated Endovascular Aortic Repair (FEVAR)
A minimally-invasive procedure that allows surgeons to repair complex aortic aneurysms involving the arteries to your kidneys and other organs using wires and catheters rather than through a large incision. FEVAR differs from EVAR as this type of graft has holes (fenestrations) so that the arteries to critical organs such as your kidneys can be preserved through the placement of covered stents.