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Abdominal Aortic Aneurism (AAA)
By Ruth | September 4, 2008
What is an aneurism or abdominal aortic aneurism?
An aneurism is the widening (dilation) of a blood vessel, and an aortic aneurism specifically involves the aorta which is one of the arteries through which blood passes from the heart to the rest of the body.
An abdominal aortic aneurism (AAA) is the most common type of aortic aneurism. One reason for this to occur is that elastin, the principal protein present in the wall of the aorta, is reduced in the abdominal aorta compared with the thoracic aorta which is nearer the heart, or it could be that the abdominal aorta does not possess vasa vasorum (a network of small capillaries that supply the outer tissues of areas like the aorta), hindering its repair.
The risk of abdominal aortic aneurism becomes much greater with age, with most cases diagnosed in the over 60s. Men are also at a much higher risk of AAA than women. Smoking greatly increases the risk of developing an abdominal aortic aneurism, and it also increases the chance of rupture once the aneurism has developed. High blood pressure and diabetes are other factors that increase risk.
What are the effects?
An aortic aneurism may cause discomfort, but the greater risk is that it may rupture which results in severe pain and internal haemorrhage. The risk of rupture is large once the size reaches 5cm, though many swell to around 15cm.
Rupture is often the first sign of abdominal aortic aneurism since the condition usually produces no symptoms. Only a small percentage of patients survive rupture, though if the abdominal aortic aneurism is detected early (usually through X-Rays of the abdomen) surgery is able to prevent rupture by removing the aneurism.
Topics: Medical Conditions |