healthnews: Auburn Regional Medical Center

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Every year, more than 15,000 Americans die suddenly from ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). An AAA occurs when the walls of the aorta, the main artery in the chest and abdomen, weaken and dilate (expand). Without treatment, the aneurysm will enlarge and eventually burst.

"Often, people with ruptured AAAs do not make it to the hospital and operating room in time, and those who do make it have a high death rate," says John Diaconou, M.D., a vascular surgeon at Auburn Regional Medical Center (ARMC). "What's tragic about these deaths is that AAAs are very treatable when diagnosed early."

People with AAAs typically do not have symptoms until their aneurysms burst and cause intense pain in the abdomen or back. Doctors recommend ultrasound studies to screen those at high risk for AAAs. Many times, doctors discover AAAs when patients undergo tests for other conditions.

"When we diagnose AAAs before they rupture, we're able to monitor patients closely or perform interventional procedures to repair AAAs that are larger than about two inches," says Rakesh Safaya, M.D., a vascular surgeon at ARMC.

Life-saving Interventions
Vascular surgeons at ARMC perform minimally invasive catheter-based procedures that signifi cantly reduce risk for ruptures in patients who have larger AAAs.

The first step is to create a 3-D computerized scan, called a tomography scan, that reconstructs the aneurysm. This scan helps the physician plan the procedure and select the appropriate-sized stent, a device that helps redirect blood flow to reduce risk for rupture of the aneurysm. The physician makes a small incision in the groin and inserts a thin catheter to transport the stent to the aneurysm and position it in the AAA.

"The procedure redirects blood flow through the stent and away from the aneurysm," Dr. Diaconou says. "We monitor patients for the rest of their lives to make sure stents work properly and aneurysms don't grow."

"For many patients, this procedure is a simpler and safer alternative to traditional open surgery. Patients who have stenting procedures tend to recover quickly and live normal, active lives," Dr. Safaya says.

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For more information about AAAs, please visit www.auburnregional.com and click on Health Information in the left column. Under Library on the left side of the next page, click on Diseases & Conditions, letter A and scroll down to Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, Understanding.

Are You at Risk?
Experts don't know exactly what causes abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). But some people seem to be at greater risk. The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends a one-time ultrasound screening for AAAs in men between ages 65 and 75 who are current or former smokers. People who have high blood pressure or a family history of AAAs also are more likely to develop the condition.