Aortic Aneurysms
The largest artery in the body...
The aorta is the largest arterial blood vessel in the human body. Aortic aneurysms most commonly occur in the abdominal segment, and are caused by weakness in the arterial wall. They represent a potentially life-threatening condition, with close to a 90% mortality associated with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms.
Small, slow-growing aneurysms should be monitored on a regular basis. Large aneurysms (generally >5 cm in women; >5.5 cm in men) or rapidly-expanding aneurysms should be repaired to reduce the risk of rupture.
The traditional open-repair is a major surgery, but one that remains an excellent durable option for fit individuals. Specialized endovascular techniques allow for minimally-invasive management of aneurysms using intraluminal stent grafts.
There are advantages and disadvantages to each approach, and treatment should be tailored to each individual.