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Abdominal aortic aneurysm    See images

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Aneurysm - aortic

Definition:

An abnormal dilation of the abdominal portion of the aorta (the major artery from the heart).

Causes and Risks

Abdominal aortic aneurysm involves a dilation, stretching, or ballooning of the aorta. The exact cause is unknown, but risk factors include atherosclerosis and hypertension. Abdominal aortic aneurysm may be caused by infection, congenital weakening of the connective tissue component of the artery wall, or rarely, from trauma.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm can affect anyone, but it is most often seen in men 40 to 70 years old. A common complication is ruptured aortic aneurysm. This is a medical emergency where the aneurysm breaks open, resulting in profuse bleeding into the abdominal cavity. Ruptured aneurysm occurs more frequently in patients with larger (>5cm) aneurysms. Aortic dissection occurs when the lining of the artery tears and blood leaks into the wall of the artery. An aneurysm that dissects is at even greater risk of rupture.

In children, abdominal aortic aneurysm can result from blunt abdominal injury or from Marfan's syndrome.

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