An abdominal aortic aneurysm occurs when the aorta, the main artery of the chest and abdomen, becomes weak. Over time, this results in an aneurysm, or "ballooning," of the blood vessel. The aneurysm will grow larger and eventually rupture if it is not properly diagnosed and surgically repaired.
Diagnosis
We can diagnose this life-threatening condition using non-invasive outpatient exams such as ultrasound or a CT scan.
Treatment
Treatment requires surgical replacement of the weakened part of the aorta with a graft made of a durable surgical fabric. We carefully evaluate each patient to identify the most appropriate type of surgery. In carefully selected patients, we may use the less invasive stent-graft procedure, inserting the graft through the arteries of the lower extremity and guiding it into place using X-ray. For other patients, open surgery is the best option.