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AAA Treatment (Abdominal Aortic Anuerysm)

AAA is often called a "silent killer" because there are usually no obvious symptoms of the disease. Three out of four aneurysms show no symptoms at the time they are diagnosed. When symptoms are present, they may include:

  • abdominal pain (that may be constant or come and go)
  • pain in the lower back that may radiate to the buttocks, groin or legs
  • the feeling of a "heartbeat" or pulse in the abdomen

In some, but not all cases, AAA can be diagnosed by a physical examination in which the doctor feels the aneurysm as a soft mass in the abdomen (about the level of a belly button) that pulses with each heartbeat.

The most common test to diagnose AAA is ultrasound, a painless examination in which a device (a transducer) about the size of a computer mouse is passed over the abdomen. Sound waves are computerized to create "pictures" of the aorta and detect the presence of AAA. Other methods for determining the aneurysms' size are CT scan (computerized tomography), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), and arteriogram (real time x-rays).

Interventional Repair - This minimally invasive technique is performed by an interventional radiologist using imaging to guide the catheter and graft inside the patient's artery, rather than making a large incision. For the procedure, an incision is made in the skin at the groin through which a stent graft that is compressed into a small diameter is advanced to the aneurysm, then opened, creating new walls in the blood vessel through which blood flows.

This is a less invasive method of placing a graft within the aneurysm to redirect blood flow and stop direct pressure from being exerted on the weak aortic wall. This relatively new method eliminates the need for a large abdominal incision.

The stent graft procedure is not for everyone, though. It is still a new technology and we don't yet have data to show that this will be a durable repair for long years. Thus, people with a life expectancy of 20 or more years may be counseled against this therapy. It is also a technology that is limited by size. The stent grafts are made in certain sizes, and the patient's anatomy must fit the graft, since grafts are not custom-built for each patient's anatomy.

Interventional repair is an effective treatment that can be performed safely, resulting in lower morbidity and lower mortality rates than those of reported for open surgical repair.

  • No abdominal surgical incision
  • No sutures, or sutures only at the groins
  • Faster recovery, shorter time in the hospital
  • No general anesthesia in some cases
  • Less pain
  • Reduced complications (as compared to open surgery)
About Interventional Radiology

Interventional radiologists are board-certified physicians who specialize in minimally invasive, targeted treatments that have less risk, less pain and less recovery time compared to open surgery. They use their expertise in interpreting X-rays, ultrasound, MRI and other diagnostic imaging studies to understand, visualize and diagnose the full scope of the disease's pathology and to map out the procedure tailored to the individual patient. Then during the procedure, they image as they go to guide tiny instruments, such as catheters, through blood vessels or skin, to treat diseases at the site of the illness nonsurgically.

Interventional radiology is a recognized medical specialty by the American Board of Medical Specialties. Interventional radiologists complete preliminary training in Diagnostic Radiology and advanced training in Vascular and Interventional Radiology. The American Board of Radiology certifies their specialized training.