Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) FAQ

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) – Frequently Asked Questions

What is an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)?

An AAA is a localized dilatation of the abdominal aorta greater than 3 cm caused by a degenerative process of the aortic wall, such as arteriosclerosis.

What are the complications of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)?

  • Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)s are the 13th leading cause of death in the United States
  • Half of all persons with untreated abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) die of rupture within five years
  • Aneurysms that have a diameter of 5 cm or are growing at a rapid rate and have a significant risk of rupture.

What are the symptoms of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)?

3/4 of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)s have no symptoms and are only found on routine examinations. Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)s are often referred to as a “silent killer” because rupture may occur before diagnosis.

Possible symptoms include

  • pulsating abdominal mass
  • low back, flank, abdominal and groin pain.

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