Treatment
Treatment is focused on preventing the aneurysm from rupturing. If the aneurysm is small, monitoring may be all that is necessary. This involves having the patient attend regular appointments so that the doctor can see if the bulge is getting bigger.
When monitoring is recommended, the patient usually has ultrasounds every six months on average. The expansion rate and overall size of the aneurysm will determine if follow up appointments need to happen more often.
If the aneurysm measures 1.9 to 2.2 inches or more, surgery is usually recommended. A smaller aneurysm that is growing quickly may also warrant surgery. There are two primary types of surgery the doctor can discuss with their patient.
Open abdominal surgery can be done to remove the bulging part of the patient’s aorta. Then, a stent is used to replace it. The surgeon sews this into place to essentially reinforce the vessel. This is the more intensive of the two surgical options. Patients should expect recovery to take a month or longer. The patient’s overall health plays a role in their recovery time.
Endovascular surgery is the second option. This technique is used more often because it is less invasive compared to open abdominal surgery. The surgeon will feed a catheter through a leg artery and push it up into the bulging part of the aorta. They will place a synthetic graft in the area and expand it. Metal mesh secures this graft. This reinforces the vessel to prevent aneurysm rupture.
Overall, the recovery time is much shorter with this surgical technique. Follow up care to look for graft leaks is necessary. Approximately 70 percent of patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm can have the endovascular surgery. If someone experiences any of the symptoms, they should immediately make an appointment with their doctor. Waiting could result in a potentially life-threatening emergency.
