The problem of abdominal aortic aneurysm is one of the most prominent health problems that may affect the body, because the aorta is the largest blood vessel within the body, and its expansion from the heart to the chest and abdomen may lead to its rupture, which may cause severe bleeding that may lead to the patient’s life. The aorta expands as a result of the occurrence of some factors, and it also has many symptoms through which it can be detected. Al Mousa Health Hospital offers the best specialized medical team to treat this type of condition.
What is abdominal aortic aneurysm?
The problem of abdominal aortic aneurysm usually occurs as a result of abnormal widening or stretching in its walls, and that part may be in the abdomen, which causes it to expand, which is known as abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). This may result in a rupture of the artery, which may lead to severe bleeding and then the death of the patient.
It is noteworthy that the aorta is the largest artery that transports blood from the heart to the various parts of the body, and from here its importance and the danger of causing any health problem become clear, as it may affect the amount of blood pumped to the body as it is connected to the heart, and extends to the middle region of the chest and abdomen.
It is known that there are many treatment methods that are followed to treat cases of abdominal aortic aneurysm, but these methods differ according to the size of the aneurysm, the rate of rupture, and the development of the disease itself. It is an integrated treatment program in which the symptoms and response rate are monitored, and it may require surgical intervention.
What are the causes of abdominal aortic aneurysm?
The problem of aneurysm may occur in any location of the aorta, but most cases of aortic aneurysm occur in the part that is located in the abdomen, and this is the result of a combination of a group of factors and causes, the most important of which are the following:
- Atherosclerosis: This usually occurs when fat accumulates on the lining of the blood vessel.
- High blood pressure: It may lead to significant damage to the aortic wall and its weakening.
- Genetic factors: Aortic aneurysm may occur as a result of genetic factors and the presence of this disease in the family history.
- Infection of the arterial wall by any microbes or bacteria.
- Suffering from any of the various vascular diseases.
- Infection of the aorta occurs in rare cases.
- Physical injuries: A person may suffer from an aneurysm in the abdominal aorta as a result of being exposed to a traffic accident, for example.
Symptoms of abdominal aortic aneurysm
In most cases, no warning symptoms of abdominal aortic aneurysm are observed, which makes the problem more serious, but in general there are some symptoms that are observed when the artery approaches the stage of rupture, and among these symptoms are the following:
- Feeling severe, recurring abdominal pain that may be sudden.
- Feeling back pain.
- Feeling like a pulsation inside the abdomen
- heartbeat.
- Suffering from shortness of breath.
- Loss of consciousness.
- Rapid heart rate..
- Feeling hemodynamic changes.
- Noticing a sensitive mass inside the abdomen during an abdominal examination.
- Having a fever.
- High white blood cell count.
- Low weight.
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The risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm
As for the risk factors that accompany the problem of abdominal aortic aneurysm, they include the following:
- Smoking: It is one of the biggest risk factors that lead to abdominal aortic aneurysm, as it weakens the wall of the vessels, especially the aorta, which leads to its expansion and rupture. The longer the period of smoking, the more this affects the vessels and makes them more susceptible to damage.
- Gender: Some studies have proven that this health problem is common and widespread among men at a rate greater than that among women. We find that the incidence of men versus women is about 1:9.
- Age: Old age is an important risk factor for abdominal aortic aneurysm, as it is most common among individuals over the age of 65 years.
- Family history of illness: The presence of a history of illness among some family members, even one, is considered a risk factor for contracting it.
- Race: Some studies have proven that individuals with white skin are more susceptible to this disease than others.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm is one of the conditions that requires accurate diagnosis and early intervention to avoid serious complications.in مركز القلب والأوعية الدموية At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital, we provide advanced care using the latest technologies to treat arterial and vascular diseases.
Complications of abdominal aortic aneurysm
Complications of abdominal aortic aneurysm vary from one case to another, due to the severity of the disease and the extent of the body’s response to treatment, but they are generally represented in the following points:
- Feeling sudden pain in the abdomen and lower back.
- Low blood pressure.
- Increased heart rate.
- Bleeding occurs during surgery.
- Heart attacks.
- Feeling short of breath.
- A rupture occurs in one or more layers of the artery wall, which is known as aortic dissection.
- The chances of developing blood clots in the affected area increase.
- Feeling pain in the kidneys.
- Feeling pain in the legs or decreased blood flow to them or to the toes.
Methods of diagnosing abdominal aortic aneurysm
To this day, no method has been discovered to detect this disease at its beginning. All current methods are resorted to only when symptoms of abdominal aortic aneurysm are noticed and it is approaching the stage of rupture. Perhaps the most important methods of diagnosing and detecting it are the following:
Ultrasound of the abdomen
Through ultrasound technology, real pictures of the abdomen are taken that show the condition of the abdominal aorta. This is done by the doctor applying slight pressure using the ultrasound probe on the abdomen and then moving it back and forth.
Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen
This is done through X-rays that are used to take a cross-sectional image of the abdominal structures, including the abdominal aorta, through which a detailed pictorial report is obtained of the condition of the artery, its size, and the shape of its aneurysm. This is a painless type of examination in which the doctor asks the patient to lie on a table through which he slides into the scanning device. He may also have to inject the patient with a contrast material into the vein to help the blood vessels appear more clearly.
التصوير بالرنين المغناطيسي (MRI)
It is news in which the structures of the abdomen and the aorta are imaged using a magnetic field and radio waves generated by the computer, and the doctor may also have to inject the patient with a contrast material to better show the blood vessels. This type of examination is equal in effectiveness to a computed tomography examination, but its cost is much greater than it. This type is usually used with patients who suffer from renal failure.
blood test
The problem of abdominal aortic aneurysm can be diagnosed based on a blood test, through which the rate of increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is identified, which indicates an inflammatory or contaminated expansion of the artery, and it is one of the most common diagnostic methods.
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Methods of treating abdominal aortic aneurysm
Methods of treating abdominal aortic aneurysm often end with surgical intervention, but it is not resorted to except after applying other methods. The methods used in treatment vary depending on the patient’s condition, but they are generally represented as follows:
Medical follow-up and taking medications
The treatment stage for abdominal aortic aneurysm usually begins with taking medications and drugs that are specified in the initial diagnosis in order to prevent the blood vessels from rupturing. In some cases, it is sufficient to monitor the stability of the condition through medical examinations that are performed every six months and regularity in the treatment program.
Endovascular embolization
This is one of the methods of treating modern abdominal aortic aneurysm, which involves the use of a catheterization by bringing an artificial tube and inserting it into the patient’s blood vessel through the femoral artery. It does not require undergoing any surgical intervention, but rather requires local anesthesia and a minimally invasive medical procedure. However, it may not be suitable except for a certain category of patients, and this may be attributed to the anatomical problems associated with it.
Open abdominal surgery
In some medical cases, surgical intervention is required directly for people whose aorta is not less than 1.9 to 2.2 inches (4.8 to 5.6 cm) in size. They are subjected to surgical intervention in which the aneurysm is repaired and the weak part of it is removed and replaced with a graft. After a month of the operation, the patient is able to live his life normally without feeling the symptoms associated with this health problem.
How to prevent abdominal aortic aneurysm
As for how to prevent abdominal aortic aneurysm, you can follow the following tips:
- Refrain from smoking.
- Follow a healthy diet.
- Eat fruits and vegetables.
- Stay away from saturated fats.
- Eat small amounts of salt in food.
- Control blood pressure and cholesterol.
- Exercise regularly.
FAQs
Does aneurysm have a treatment?
Yes, of course, there is a treatment, but it differs from one case to another according to the doctor’s diagnosis, the patient’s age, the degree of his vulnerability to it, and his body’s health condition. In general, treatment usually begins with continuous follow-up and may end in some cases with surgical operations.
Is aortic aneurysm surgery dangerous?
Aortic reconstructive surgery does not pose as much risk as a rupture of that artery, as when it ruptures it may result in fatal bleeding, and after the surgical procedure the patient can live his life normally within a month from the time it is performed.
What is the success rate of abdominal aortic surgery?
In the context of current technological developments, especially in the field of cardiovascular surgery, aortic aneurysm reconstruction has become a safe operation, as its success rate may reach 95% if it is performed by a specialist doctor with long skill and experience.
Is aortic aneurysm dangerous?
In general, aortic enlargement is dangerous, but the risk varies based on several factors, including: the patient’s age, the rate of enlargement, the period of enlargement, and the extent of that enlargement’s response to treatment.
In the end we have identified a problem Abdominal aortic aneurysm And the causes that lead to it, as we learned about its symptoms and methods of treatment in addition to the mechanism of prevention, and it is worth noting the necessity of adhering to the treatment plan prescribed by the specialist doctor in the event of discovering this problem or other health problems to ensure its elimination and reduce the effects resulting from it, as we find in Al-Mousa Health Hospital the best specialized treatment programs, and the work is carried out by the most qualified doctors.
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