Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
What are the treatments for the condition?
Only 40% to 50% of the people with a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm survive
long enough to have surgery, which is the only treatment for the condition. Of
those individuals, only half survive and recover from the surgery. Early
detection of the aneurysm, before it ruptures, is key to successful treatment
of the problem.
If the aneurysm has not ruptured, surgery is recommended in the following
situations:
when the person has severe symptoms
when the aneurysm is bigger than 5 cm across
when it has grown by at least 1 cm over 6 to 12 months
In surgery, the weakened part of the aorta is removed. An artificial graft is
then used to replace the portion removed.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
If surgery has been performed before rupture, and the patient is relatively
healthy, the outcome is very good. But emergency surgery for a ruptured AAA has
about a 50% chance of death. Other side effects include bleeding, infection,
and allergic reaction to the
anesthesia.
What happens after treatment for the condition?
After recovery from surgery, the person can slowly return to regular
activities. It's important to make appropriate lifestyle changes to lower the
risk of further circulatory system problems. These changes include eating a
healthy diet to minimize heart
disease, avoiding smoking, exercising in moderation, and
maintaining a healthy weight.
How is the condition monitored?
Before surgery, the size of an aneurysm can be evaluated using an ultrasound
test. After recovery from surgery, the person should have no further symptoms.
Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.
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