Your aorta carries blood from your heart through your chest and abdomen every second of the day. When its wall weakens and bulges outward, that is called an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA). Detected early, it is treatable. If it goes undetected, it can be life-threatening. At the CK Birla Hospital, Delhi our vascular surgery team manages it at every stage. Here is what you should know.
The aorta is the body’s largest artery. It starts in the left ventricle of the heart and runs from the heart, through the chest (thoracic aorta), and into the abdomen (abdominal aorta), where it divides into vessels supplying blood to the legs and pelvic organs. When part of its wall weakens, it can bulge outward. That bulge is called an aneurysm.
A healthy abdominal aorta measures around 2 cm in diameter across. When it enlarges to 3 cm or more, it is classified as an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). As the aneurysm grows, the risk of rupture increases. When an aneurysm reaches 5.5 cm or begins growing faster than expected, treatment becomes necessary either through open surgery or a less invasive endovascular procedure.
Aneurysms are classified based on their shape and location:
Fusiform aneurysm: It is the most common type, in which the entire circumference of the aorta bulges outward symmetrically.
Saccular aneurysm: Only one side of the vessel wall balloons out, forming a small pouch.
Infrarenal AAA: It is located below the renal (kidney) arteries, which is the most frequently seen location for abdominal aortic aneurysms.
Juxtarenal / Suprarenal AAA: This type extends up to or above the kidney arteries, which makes it difficult to treat.
Knowing the type and location helps the surgical team choose the safest, most appropriate treatment approach.
The aortic wall weakens over time for several reasons. Atherosclerosis, the buildup of fatty deposits inside arterial walls, is the most common underlying cause. This, combined with factors that raise blood pressure or damage vessel tissue, increases risk of AAA.
Some major risk factors are:
In most cases, this condition shows no symptoms at all, which is why they are generally found incidentally during scans done for other reasons.
A ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm is a life threatening emergency. If you or someone nearby experiences sudden, severe abdominal or back pain alongside lightheadedness, call emergency services immediately.
Firstly, it requires physical examination, where a doctor may check the pulsating sensation in the abdomen. To confirm and measure the aneurysm, one or more of the following tests are used:
Watchful Waiting and Medical Management
Early stage aneurysm may not need surgical intervention right away. For smaller ones under 5 cm that are not growing rapidly, doctors usually recommend monitoring through regular ultrasound or CT scans. Alongside this, managing blood pressure, quitting smoking, and avoiding heavy lifting all play an important role in keeping the aneurysm stable.
Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR)
EVAR is a minimally invasive procedure and the preferred option for most patients. The surgeon accesses the aorta through small incisions in the groin and places a stent graft inside the weakened section of the artery. This reinforces the wall and redirects blood flow away from the bulge.
Open Surgical Repair
When the aneurysm’s shape or location is not suitable for EVAR, open surgery is recommended. The damaged section of the aorta is replaced with a synthetic graft. In open surgery, recovery takes longer, usually four to eight weeks, but it is often the more durable option, particularly for younger patients.
Emergency Repair
A ruptured aneurysm requires immediate surgery. Speed is everything in this situation. Both EVAR and open repair can be used depending on the patient’s condition at the time.
Recovery and Follow-Up
Recovery time depends on the procedure. Followup does not stop after surgery. Regular scans are needed to make sure everything remains stable, and long-term lifestyle changes, particularly around blood pressure and smoking, remain important throughout.
Managing this condition requires more than just a skilled surgeon; it calls for coordinated care across vascular surgery, radiology, cardiology, and anaesthesia, often simultaneously. The CK Birla Hospital brings these specialists together. We offer:
If you have been told an aortic aneurysm has been found on imaging, or if you have risk factors that concern you, book an appointment with our vascular surgery team at the CK Birla Hospital.
Watchful Waiting and Medical Management
Early stage aneurysm may not need surgical intervention right away. For smaller ones under 5 cm that are not growing rapidly, doctors usually recommend monitoring through regular ultrasound or CT scans. Alongside this, managing blood pressure, quitting smoking, and avoiding heavy lifting all play an important role in keeping the aneurysm stable.
Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR)
EVAR is a minimally invasive procedure and the preferred option for most patients. The surgeon accesses the aorta through small incisions in the groin and places a stent graft inside the weakened section of the artery. This reinforces the wall and redirects blood flow away from the bulge.
Open Surgical Repair
When the aneurysm’s shape or location is not suitable for EVAR, open surgery is recommended. The damaged section of the aorta is replaced with a synthetic graft. In open surgery, recovery takes longer, usually four to eight weeks, but it is often the more durable option, particularly for younger patients.
Emergency Repair
A ruptured aneurysm requires immediate surgery. Speed is everything in this situation. Both EVAR and open repair can be used depending on the patient’s condition at the time.
Recovery and Follow-Up
Recovery time depends on the procedure. Followup does not stop after surgery. Regular scans are needed to make sure everything remains stable, and long-term lifestyle changes, particularly around blood pressure and smoking, remain important throughout.
Managing this condition requires more than just a skilled surgeon; it calls for coordinated care across vascular surgery, radiology, cardiology, and anaesthesia, often simultaneously. The CK Birla Hospital brings these specialists together. We offer:
If you have been told an aortic aneurysm has been found on imaging, or if you have risk factors that concern you, book an appointment with our vascular surgery team at the CK Birla Hospital.
For small aneurysms, surgery is not always immediately necessary. Careful monitoring with regular ultrasound scans, combined with blood pressure control, and quitting smoking, can keep a small aneurysm stable for years. However, once an aneurysm begins growing rapidly, surgery is generally recommended to prevent rupture.
When warning signs do appear, they may include a pulsating feeling in the abdomen, a deep ache in the back or sides, or sudden severe abdominal and back pain.
The majority of abdominal aortic aneurysms are found incidentally, during an ultrasound or CT scan done for an unrelated reason. In high-risk individuals (older smokers or those with a family history), a dedicated ultrasound screening can detect AAA before any symptoms develop.
A rupture causes sudden, extreme pain in the abdomen, back, or groin, described as a tearing or ripping sensation. Alongside, you may face a rapid drop in blood pressure, dizziness, sweating, and collapse. This is a life-threatening emergency. Immediate transfer to a hospital is essential, as survival depends on speed of intervention.
EVAR carries a lower immediate surgical risk and shorter recovery time, making it particularly suitable for older patients or those with other health conditions. Open surgery, while more invasive, tends to be more durable and may be preferred in younger patients or when the aneurysm’s anatomy is not suitable for a stent-graft. Your vascular surgeon will recommend the most appropriate option based on your anatomy, age, and overall health.
