What Is an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)?

An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a bulging, weakened area in the wall of the lower part of the aorta. It is commonly called AAA or Triple A. Abdominal aortic aneurysm results in an abnormal widening or ballooning of the aorta, typically 50 percent larger than the normal width of a healthy aorta.

Once an aneurysm forms, it will gradually increase in size. Unless treated, there will be a progressive weakening of the aneurysm wall that may rupture and lead to a life- threatening hemorrhage.

Symptoms of an abdominal aortic aneurysm 

About three out of four patients do not experience any symptoms when suffering an abdominal aortic aneurysm. For this reason, AAA is often referred to as a silent killer, because it may rupture before being diagnosed.

For those that do experience symptoms, the symptoms may be related to the location, size and growth rate of the aneurysm. Severe or dull pain in these areas may be a sign of AAA:

• Abdomen
• Chest
• Lower back
• Groin

Acute onset of pain in the back or abdomen may represent a rupture, which is a life-threatening medical emergency. Find out more about symptoms of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

What causes an abdominal aortic aneurysm? 

There can be many contributing factors that can cause an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Some are hereditary, meaning you are born with it, and some are related to lifestyle:

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Smoking
• Genetic disorders, such as Marfan syndrome
• Atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in the artery)

Learn more about the causes of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Diagnosis of an abdominal aortic aneurysm 

Sometimes, we diagnose AAA by accident while performing diagnostic tests for another reason. To confirm a diagnosis of AAA, we will do a complete medical history and physical examination, in addition to diagnostic procedures:

• X-ray
• Computed tomography scan (CT Scan)
• Magnetic resonance imaging scan (MRI)

Learn more about the diagnosis of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Types of abdominal aortic aneurysms

There are several types of abdominal aortic aneurysms, characterized by its location, shape, and cause:

Infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm: Located in the part of the abdominal aorta below the kidneys.

Pseudoaneurysm, or false aneurysm: An enlargement of only the outer layer of the blood vessel wall. A false aneurysm may be caused by a prior surgery or trauma. Sometimes, a tear can occur on the inside layer of the vessel resulting in blood filling in between the layers of the blood vessel wall creating a pseudoaneurysm.

Treatments options for an abdominal aortic aneurysm

The goal of treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysm is to prevent rupture by controlling the growth of the aneurysm. There are both surgical and nonsurgical treatment options for abdominal aortic aneurysm. We will determine the treatment that offers you the best outcome. Some common treatments include:

• Lifestyle changes such as losing weight and quitting smoking
• Medication
• Procedures such as an abdominal aortic aneurysm open repair

Learn more about treatments options for an abdominal aortic aneurysm.