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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a weakened and bulging area in the lower part of the aorta, the major blood vessel that supplies blood to the body. The aorta, about the thickness of a garden hose, runs from your heart through the center of your chest and abdomen. Because the aorta is the body's main supplier of blood, a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm can cause life-threatening bleeding. Although you may never have symptoms, finding out you have an abdominal aortic aneurysm can be frightening.
Most small and slow-growing abdominal aortic aneurysms don't rupture, but large, fast-growing abdominal aortic aneurysms may. Depending on the size and rate at which the aortic aneurysm is growing, treatment may vary from watchful waiting to emergency surgery. Once an abdominal aortic aneurysm is found, doctors will closely monitor it so that surgery can be planned if it's necessary. Emergency surgery for a ruptured abdominal aneurysm can be risky.
- Aneurysm. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/arm/arm_all.html. Accessed July 8, 2010.
- Mohler ER, et al. Epidemiology, clinical features and diagnosis of abdominal aortic aneurysm. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 8, 2010.
- Mohler ER, et al. Natural history and management of abdominal aortic aneurysm. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 8, 2010.
- Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf05/aaascr/aaars.pdf. Accessed July 13, 2010.
- Schermerhorn ML, et al. Endovascular vs. open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms in the Medicare population. New England Journal of Medicine. 2008;358:464.
- Mani K, et al. Improved long-term survival after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Circulation. 2009;120:201.
- Ouriel K, et al. Endovascular repair compared with surveillance for patients with small abdominal aortic aneurysms. Journal of Vascular Surgery. 2010;51:1081.
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