Aortic aneurysms often occur in the part of the aorta that is in the abdomen. That is why they are called the Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm or AAA. During the initial consultation, the vascular specialist will explain the potential causes and discuss the suitable treatment options with the patient.
Desert Vein & Vascular Institute (DVVI), led by Dr. Pushpinder Sivia and Dr. Son Ha Yu, provides diagnosis and treatments for AAA as well as other vein treatments to patients in Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, and La Quinta.
Causes
Some of the factors that may contribute to the development of AAA include:
Smoking
Nicotine released from tobacco smoke can cause damage to the aorta and weaken its walls over time. Therefore, the risk of AAA is generally higher in smokers.
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis or hardening or the arteries takes place when fat and other materials gradually deposit on the blood vessel lining. This condition can increase the risk of an aneurysm.
Hypertension
The risk of AAA can increase with high blood pressure because it may damage or weaken the walls of the aorta.
Other Factors
Other factors that may contribute to AAA include:
- Blood Vessel Diseases in the Aorta
- Infection in the Aorta
- Trauma
- Age and Family History
Size of the Aneurysm
If the aneurysm is less than 5 cm in size, it may not require a surgery. However, for aneurysms above 5 cm, there may be a risk of rupture. Aneurysm repair may be recommended in such cases, if the patient is in a fit condition. Endovascular treatment may be safer than standard surgical intervention.
AAA Treatment
In case of a small aneurysm, the vein treatment expert will provide guidance to the patient about maintaining their blood pressure and not to neglect any condition that could accelerate atherosclerosis. The patient should be willing to quit smoking and follow an active and healthy lifestyle.
Endovascular Repair
Endovascular repair is preferable when this option is available in the case of AAA. This is a minimally invasive technique involving reduced risk and less discomfort and downtime as compared to an open repair surgery. In this procedure, the surgeon will insert a thin tube or a catheter into the affected arteries through a small incision in the groin.
The surgeon will pass a vascular endograft through the catheter using x-ray guidance. The endograft will be placed in the aneurysm. Once it fits into the healthy artery above and below the aneurysm, a new passage for blood flow will be created. The aneurysm sac will be excluded, and it will shrink over time.
Open surgical repair may only be recommended in advanced cases of AAA, where the patient’s risk is high and the condition is not likely to improve with an endovascular procedure. Recovery following the surgery can vary according to the type of surgical technique used and.
DVVI, led by pre-eminent vein treatment and vascular experts, Dr. Sivia and Dr. Yu, receives patients from Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, La Quinta, Inland Empire, Riverside, California, and nearby areas for AAA treatment.
For more information on vein disease, call the vein specialists at Desert Vein and Vascular Institute today at 1.800.VARICOSE to schedule an appointment.