Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Care at UVM Health
The aorta is the largest blood vessel in the body, leading from the heart to the rest of the body. When a section of the aorta begins to weaken, the pressure of the blood flowing through the vessel causes it to expand or bulge.
Aneurysms can develop anywhere along the aorta, but abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are located in the abdomen.
Why Choose UVM Health?
At University of Vermont Health, we take a coordinated, team-based approach to diagnosing and treating abdominal aortic aneurysm. Our network of heart and vascular providers gives you access to expert specialists no matter where you live in Vermont or northern New York. We offer:
- Specialized experts: Our nationally accredited, non-invasive diagnostic laboratory at the UVM Center for Aortic Diseases brings together a multidisciplinary team of vascular and cardiothoracic surgeons to diagnose and treat complex aortic disease.
- Excellent outcomes: Our vascular surgery team tracks our patient outcomes in national registries and our outcomes consistently meet — or exceed — national benchmarks.
- Advanced treatment options: We provide a range of treatment options to help you feel your best, including advanced interventional procedures and surgeries such as endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Our vascular surgeons are the only providers in Vermont offering catheter-based treatments as an alternative to open-thoracic surgery.
What Causes AAA?
While the wall of the aorta is normally able to stretch and shrink as needed to adapt to blood flow, certain conditions can cause the wall to weaken, leading to an aneurysm. While the exact cause is unknown, the following risk factors are associated with abdominal aortic aneurysms:
- A family history of the condition
- Age
- Atherosclerosis (the hardening of the arteries)
- Inflammation of the arteries
- Tobacco use
- High blood pressure
Symptoms of AAA
Most people with an abdominal aortic aneurysm do not experience symptoms. Symptoms may occur as the aneurysm gets bigger and begins to put pressure on the surrounding organs. The most common symptoms include:
- A pulsing feeling in the abdomen
- Unexplained, severe pain in the abdomen or lower back
If an abdominal aortic aneurysm ruptures, you will experience sudden, severe pain, an extreme drop in blood pressure and signs of shock. Without immediate treatment, it can quickly lead to death.
Diagnosing AAA
Abdominal aortic aneurysms are often found by chance, during tests done for other reasons or during a routine physical exam.
If your doctor thinks you might have an abdominal aortic aneurysm, they will conduct a physical exam and order imaging tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the location and size of the aneurysm.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm diagnosis and testing may include:
- Ultrasound imaging: Creates a video image of your blood vessels and measure their size
- Computed tomography (CT) scan: Provides detailed images of your organs and determine if the aneurysm needs to be repaired and how it should be treated
Wellness & Prevention
Evidence shows that proactive health care focused on preventing illness leads to better outcomes. We're here to help you live a healthier, happier life. We offer wellness and prevention services to empower you to take control of your health.
AAA Treatment
The size, shape and growth pattern of your abdominal aortic aneurysm will determine the course of treatment your vascular surgeon recommends. Treatment of an aneurysm is based on the risk that it will burst (rupture).
Small aneurysms rarely rupture, so in most cases, the risks of having surgery outweigh the benefits. If you have a small abdominal aortic aneurysm, your vascular surgeon may recommend regular observation and monitoring to keep track of the aneurysm’s growth.
Your vascular surgeon may also recommend strategies for managing your aneurysm. They may prescribe medication to help lower blood pressure and cholesterol and suggest lifestyle changes to improve your heart health. These might include quitting smoking, being active, eating a heart-healthy diet and staying at a healthy weight.
If your abdominal aortic aneurysm is causing symptoms, is larger than 5.5 cm in men or 5 cm in women, or is growing quickly, it is more likely to rupture. In these cases, surgery to repair the aneurysm is often recommended.
Vascular surgeons at UVM Health offer two surgical options to repair abdominal aortic aneurysms at risk of rupturing. Your vascular surgeon can help you determine which procedure is best for you.
- Endovascular AAA repair (EVAR): In this minimally invasive procedure, your doctor will insert a man-made tube called a stent graft (endograft) through a small tube (catheter) into the artery in your groin. Using ultrasound and angiogram, the doctor will guide the catheter to your aorta and insert the stent graft. The endovascular stent graft strengthens the weakened aorta to prevent the aneurysm from rupturing. This procedure requires long-term follow-up care to monitor the stent graft.
- Open surgical repair: In an open surgical repair, your surgeon will make an incision in your abdomen to remove the damaged part of the aorta. They will then replace that section of the aorta with a synthetic tube-like device called a graft, which allows blood to pass easily.
Locations Near You
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62 Tilley Drive
Suite 101
South Burlington, VT 05403
115 Porter Drive
Middlebury, VT 05753
75 Park Street
Elizabethtown, NY 12932
101 Adirondack Drive
Suite 1
Ticonderoga, NY 12883
66 Park Street
Elizabethtown, NY 12932
133 Park Street
Malone, NY 12953
130 Fisher Road
Berlin, VT 05602
210 Cornelia Street
Ste 104
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
62 Tilley Drive
Suite 101
South Burlington, VT 05403-4407
133 Park Street
2nd Floor
Malone, NY 12953-1244
