What is AAA?

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm is the weakening of the wall of the Aorta in the abdomen. The weakening of the wall increases the likelihood of a rupture or tear of the Aorta. This is a very serious and life threatening condition if a rupture occurs.

Aortic Rupture is the 10th leading cause of death in men over 50.
Men over 50 with a history of smoking or a family history of an Abdominal Aortic aneurysm should see their physician for ultrasound screening.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Treatment Options

The most common treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysm is AAA stenting. This is placing a stent that is covered in fabric across the aneurysm to prevent rupture.

The stent is placed through a small hole in the femoral artery and is placed over a wire. This is a minimally invasive approach which typically requires no more than one night in the hospital.

In the event that a stent cannot be placed then open surgery must be performed. This is much more involved and requires a long incision along the stomach. Recovery is typically much longer with higher risk for complications.