Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (cont.)

What is done if an abdominal aortic aneurysm threatens to rupture?

Threatened rupture of abdominal aneurysms is a surgical emergency. The operative risk for a ruptured aneurysm is about 50%. If kidney failure occurs after surgery, the prognosis (outlook) is particularly poor.

What is the medical management (non-surgical management) of abdominal aortic aneurysm?

For patients who are not surgical candidates (for example for patients with aneurysm smaller than 5 cm); medical treatment to prevent aneurysm expansion and rupture include:

• Stopping cigarette smoking
  
  
• Controlling high blood pressure
  
  
• Lowering high blood cholesterol
  
  
• Some doctors may consider medications called beta blockers, like propanolol (Inderal), atenolol (Tenormin), or metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), which block adrenaline receptors and lower pressure within the blood vessel.
  
  
• Close monitoring of the aneurysm size with ultrasound or CT scan every 6 to 12 months (sooner in high risk patients)

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm At A Glance

• An aneurysm is an abnormal area of localized widening of a blood vessel.
  
  
• The aorta bulges at the site of an aneurysm like a weak spot on a worn tire.
  
  
• Aortic aneurysms are typically spindle-shaped and involve the aorta below the arteries to the kidneys.
  
  
• Five percent of men over 60 develop an abdominal aortic aneurysms.
  
  
• The most common cause of an aneurysm is arteriosclerosis.
  
  
• Abdominal aortic aneurysms often do not cause symptoms. If they do, they may cause deep boring pain in the lower back or abnormally prominent abdominal pulsation.
  
  
• X-rays of the abdomen and other radiologic tests can be used in diagnosing an aneurysm.
  
  
• Rupture of an aortic aneurysm is a catastrophe.
  
  
• Repair of the aneurysm can be done by surgery or endovascular stenting.

Last Editorial Review: 7/30/2008

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