Your overall health, as well as the size and location of your Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm determine the best way for your physician to treat your condition.
If your aneurysm is small, your doctor may only recommend periodic check-ups to monitor the aneurysm. However, because a larger or rapidly growing aneurysm increases the risk of rupturing, your physician may recommend one of two types of treatment:
Medical Management of AAA
Often an AAA can be monitored over time by periodic imaging without it growing significantly. Lifestyle changes and reduction of high blood pressure may help an aneurysm from growing and becoming worse. It is only if the aneurysm grows at an accelerated rate or to sufficient size that it needs surgical or endovascular treatment.
Open Surgical Treatment for AAA
Surgical repair of AAA involves sewing in a synthetic graft to replace the aneurysmal aorta. This acts as a new pipe through which the blood can flow. This graft is permanent and will stay in for the rest of your life.
Such repairs are highly successful, but do require additional recovery time due to the extent of the abdominal incision (12-14 inches) to expose the aorta. The advantage of an open repair is that long-term post-operative follow up is minimal.
Because of the complexity of this type of treatment, it can often result in long hospital stays and painful recoveries.
Endovascular Treatment for AAA
Endovascular treatment of AAA involves fixing the aneurysm from within. The procedure consists of performing two small groin incisions through which a graft is inserted into the aorta. The graft is held in position by stents similar to those used to open blockages in blood vessels. This graft effectively excludes the aneurysm from the flow of blood, which is now directed through the graft. This graft is permanent and will stay in for the rest of your life.
Endovascular repairs of the aorta are highly successful, and because of the small size of the groin incisions offer an easier recovery. Endovascular grafts do require ongoing follow-up.
The majority of patients are able to go home 24 to 48 hours after surgery. Patients return to normal activities much sooner than with open repairs. In some cases this procedure can be performed without general anesthesia.
For further information about AAA contact one of the screening sites found in the directory, or the Society for Vascular Surgery.
