Performed by The Board Certified Vascular Surgeons at The Vein and Vascular Institute of Spring Hill Can Save Your Life!
Aortic aneurysm surgery, performed in time, to repair an abdominal or thoracic aortic aneurysm can be minimally invasive and can save your life. If not detected in its early stages, aortic aneurysm can be fatal because if an aneurysm ruptures, it can cost your life.
Annually, in the United States alone, 11,000 people have died from Aortic Aneurysm Rupture because their aortic aneurysms were not detected in time and because they were left untreated.
If you think you are at risk of developing an aortic aneurysm, you can trust our board certified vascular surgeons at The Vein and Vascular Institute of Spring Hill with diagnosis and treatment of the disease because they specialize in Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair and because they have saved hundreds of lives by performing Aortic Aneurysm Surgery.
Aortic Aneurysm Surgery Patient Testimonial
Aneurysm Repair Patient Hector Sharing His AAA Repair Story and His Gratitude To Dr. Wright
How Does An Aortic Aneurysm Form?
The largest artery in the human body is the aorta and it carries blood away from the heart to all the other parts of the body. There are two sections of the aorta, the thoracic aorta which runs through the chest and the abdominal aorta which runs through the abdominal area.
An aneurysm is an abnormal widening or ballooning of a section of an artery due to weakness in the wall of the blood vessel.
An abdominal aortic aneurysm refers to a balloon or bulge in the abdominal aorta. A thoracic aortic aneurysm refers to a balloon or bulge in the thoracic aorta.
Approximately 25% of aortic aneurysms form in the chest area (thoracic) and approximately 75% of aortic aneurysms form in the abdominal area.
Aortic aneurysms are very serious because if they continue to expand, they can eventually burst, causing severe internal bleeding that can lead to sudden death. Unfortunately, only about 20% – 30% of patients who arrive at the emergency room with a ruptured aortic aneurysm survive.
Aortic Aneurysm Symptoms
The aortic aneurysm signs are not always evident. In fact, only half of patients with an aortic aneurysm notice any symptoms at all.
This causes concern since rupture of the aorta may lead to internal organ damage and even death. Aortic aneurysm has often been termed by doctors and patients as “the silent killer.”
Possible Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm symptoms include::
If symptoms are present, possible Thoracic Aneurysm Symptoms include:
If you are already experiencing any of the symptoms related to aortic aneurysm, and if you are concerned and uncertain, do not ignore the warning signs. A vascular ultrasound is the only sure way to detect the presence of this silent killing disease before it’s too late.
Aortic Aneurysm Risk Factors
Although the exact causes of aortic aneurysm are not known, a family history is certainly a factor, as well as age. So, if someone in your family has had an aortic aneurysm, you have a higher chance of developing one as well and you should consider scheduling a vascular consultation with one of our vascular surgeons.
In addition to having a family history, smoking and high blood pressure are also risk factors because they cause degeneration of the connective tissue and muscular layer of the aorta. Aortic aneurysms that form in this way are called degenerative aneurysms and they are the most common type of aneurysm.
Diseases such as Marfan’s Syndrome (a connective tissue disorder), Syphilis, and Tuberculosis can weaken the layers of the aortic wall, and therefore can put you at a higher risk for developing aortic aneurysms.
In rare cases, trauma, such as a car accident or a fall, may cause an aortic aneurysm as well.
It is also important to note that aortic aneurysms are more common in men than they are in women.
Treatment Options for Aortic Aneurysms
After having a consultation and a vascular screening, your vascular doctor will advise you on the best treatment options and if surgery would be necessary. This advice will depend on how big the aneurysm has become as well as other contributing factors, such as your overall health condition and your age.
Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair (also referred to as AAA Endovascular Repair) involves placing a stent-graft inside the aorta where the aneurysm has developed. The stent-graft basically creates a new passageway for blood flow.
With the stent-graft in place, the weak aortic wall of the aneurysm is no longer subjected to direct pressure from the blood flow. This prevents the aneurysm from continuing to expand and possibly rupturing.
Endovascular AAA repair is a minimally invasive technique where the vascular surgeon makes a small incision in the groin area, inserts a catheter, runs it through the femoral artery and directs it to where the aneurysm has developed. The surgeon then passes the stent-graft through the catheter and positions it at the location of the aneurysm, creating new walls for the blood to flow through.
The great thing about endovascular AAA repair is that the recovery time is only 2 to 6 weeks and it is a highly successful, life-saving aortic aneurysm treatment.
Depending on your specific situation, your doctor may advise you to undergo open surgical repair, which is a more invasive aortic aneurysm surgery and will require a longer recovery time (6 weeks to 3 months).
Thoracic aortic aneurysm repair is similar to AAA repair, however, the aneurysm is closer to the heart. So depending on the exact location of the aneurysm and how big it is, your doctor will advise you on the best type of treatment.
The Board Certified Vascular Surgeons at The Vein and Vascular Institute of Spring Hill have saved hundreds of lives by performing aortic aneurysm repair. Our surgeons also have hospital staff privileges which means that they are able to treat you in the hospital setting if your circumstances require it.
Aortic aneurysms are often fatal, so do not delay. Give us a call today at (352) 505-1737 to schedule a consultation for aortic aneurysm surgery, because a consultation with the right vascular physicians could save your life.
