Is Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm hereditary?

Mr Usman Jaffer explains when it is important to consider repair for an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Evidence from trials shows that operating on small aneurysms (less than 5.5cm in diameter) has no benefit over monitoring. Generally, we would offer to repair aneurysms greater than 5.5cm.

This gentleman and his wife have kindly agreed to share their experience from the treatment he needed for symptomatic aortic aneurysm repair. He was admitted as an emergency due to increasing abdominal pain, which was related to expanding abdomina aortic aneurysm. He recovered well from the surgery.

Mr Usman Jaffer explains that an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a swelling in the aorta, which is the main blood vessel taking blood away from the heart down into the abdomen (belly). A small aneurysm has a low risk of rupture (bursting). As the aneurysm gets larger, there is a higher chance of rupture.

This is a Surgical operation to repair an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA; swelling of the abdominal aorta). This topic discuses when an AAA needs to be repaired and talks about what the traditional open operation involves including pre- and post-surgery expectations for infra-renal AAA. The traditional, open operation for AAA is the most durable and robust way to repair an infra-renal AAA. Other techniques to repair an infra-renal AAA can include keyhole or endovascular repair.

Mr Usman Jaffer explains that abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) usually do not have symptoms and are normally picked up on scans for unrelated conditions. Occasionally, patients can have mild abdominal pain or back pain. The main risk of having an aneurysm is if it ruptures (bursts), which can lead to severe pain in the abdomen or back, and feeling dizzy and sweaty. If an aneurysm ruptures forward into the free space of the belly, it is most likely fatal. If it ruptures back behind the wall of the belly, it can be temporarily contained and there is about a 50/50 chance of survival if it is operated on urgently.

Mr Usman Jaffer explains that there are two options to repair an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA): endovascular repair (EVAR) and open repair. Open repair is a major operation which mostly commonly involves an incision vertically down the abdomen (belly). The aorta is then found at the back of the abdomen behind the guts. The area of aneurysm in the aorta is then opened and a fabric tube is fixed inside the aorta to strengthen it. Different types of grafts are used depending on where the aneurysm is located and how far it extends.