VASCULAR SOLUTIONS - Vascular and Endovascular Surgeons Treating Peripheral Vascular Disease in Cleveland, Ohio | ||||||||
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Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm | ||||
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Albert Einstein died in 1955 of a ruptured aortic aneurysm. Lucy Ball died of a ruptured thoracic aneurysm. Today medical science allows physicians to detect the presence of many different kinds of aneurysms including abdominal aortic aneurysm before symptoms occur and to correctly treat the condition. Had we known then what we know now, Einstein's brilliant mind may have had time to uncover still greater secrets of the universe. | ||
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Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Definition An aneurysm is a dilation, stretching, and bulging of an artery that occurs as a weakening of the arterial wall and loss of elastic properties. Aneurysm is derived from the Greek word aneurysma meaning "a widening". The wall of a blood vessel is similar to a steel radial tire with multiple layers. If a separation or defect occurs in the steel radial, a portion of the rubber could bulge outward and be at risk for loosing its integrity. Aneurysms can occur in any artery in the body but are most common in the aorta which is the major artery from the heart and that supplies blood flow throughout the body. In terms of the aorta, 95% of aneurysms occur in the abdomen below the arteries to the kidneys. These are commonly referred to as "AAA" or abdominal aortic aneurysm. AAAs are most common after the age of 60 and are five times more common in men than woman. Approximately 5% of men over age 60 develop AAA. 95% of aneurysms occur below the level of the renal arteries, and can involve the bifurcation where the aorta splits into the iliac arteries that supply the legs. The aneurysms have a fusiform shape; in other words a spindle with widening all around the circumference. | ||||
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Atherosclerosis: 80% of aneurysms are in some way related to the process of atherosclerosis, which weakens the wall due to an inflammatory reaction. That process then results in an expansion of the artery under the pressure of arterial flow. This also helps explain why hypertension (increased blood pressure) accelerates the process Genetic: In a small percentage of patients, genetics play a major role in the formation of aneurysms. Such patients typically have aneurysms that manifest systemically including such sites as the aorta, brain, popliteals and other locations. Examples of inheritable causes of aortic aneurysms are connective tissue diseases such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Marfan's Syndrome. Congenital: Birth defects that occur as result of gestational formation | ||||||
What are the causes of AAA? | ||||||
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