"Screening and Intervention are key in treating abdominal aortic aneurysm"
Typically, our bodies have a way of letting us know when something is wrong.
Symptoms like pain, body temperature, discoloration and swelling are all
mechanisms for our body to tell us there is a problem.
Then there are those conditions that stay under the radar, offering no
symptoms to indicate a problem. Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is one
of them — and that is what makes it dangerous.
Meet AAA
An estimated one million undiagnosed Americans, are living with AAA and
don’t even know it. This life-threatening but treatable condition
affects the largest artery of the body, the aorta. Pumping blood from
the heart to the rest of the body, the aorta has a very important job.
The walls of the aorta are strong and flexible. Over time, blood flow
can put pressure on the walls and because of their elasticity, they may
give a bit to the pressure. When the artery walls become weak, that pressure
can force the walls to expand, resulting in an aneurysm.
Aortic aneurysm is a very serious condition. A ruptured aneurysm has a
mortality rate of nearly 90 percent.
‘I Never Felt a Thing’
For Thomas Burns, 91, of Lawrenceville, his abdominal aortic aneurysm
came as a surprise while visiting his oncologist. The doctor told Thomas
an aneurysm had developed in his abdomen and recommended Thomas see vascular
surgeon Honesto ‘Sto’ Poblete, MD, board certified vascular surgeon.
“I’d never felt a thing. It was lucky the oncologist did these
tests or I would have never known,” says Thomas.
When Thomas visited Dr. Poblete, he learned about his unwelcome diagnosis.
“Aneurysm occurs most commonly in the abdominal region and unless
it’s become quite large or ruptures, an aneurysm is not typically
symptomatic,” Dr. Poblete explains.
Road to Repair
For two years, Thomas regularly visited Dr. Poblete for testing to monitor
the size of the aneurysm.
“Monitoring of a diagnosed AAA is related to the extent of the condition,”
Dr. Poblete says. “It’s all about the size and probability
of rupture.”
For example, an aneurysm that is 7 cm in diameter is more likely to rupture
than one that is 4 cm. While there is a risk either way, Dr. Poblete explains,
the probability of rupture increases as the aneurysm increases in size.
“Surgery was recommended when the aneurysm got bigger because if
it ruptures, you’re done. Unless you can get it taken care of right
away,” Thomas recalls.
At 90 years of age, Thomas’ overall health was a major consideration
when determining how to proceed with surgery.
“We need to look at the person’s quality of life and how they
would respond to surgery,” says Dr. Poblete.
“Mr. Burns was 90 at the time of his surgery, but he also was very
active and even would hop off of the exam table. He was definitely in
good enough health to have a successful endovascular repair performed.”
The minimally invasive surgery had Thomas back to his routine in no time.
And for an active guy like Thomas, that routine includes daily drives
and walks.
“I’m relieved we got it taken care of. A week after the surgery
it was like nothing happened. Now I just have to see Dr. Poblete for follow-ups
once a year,” Thomas says.
Simple Screening
Thomas was fortunate that his oncologist suspected a problem with his
artery and performed the test that detected his aneurysm. Many others
are walking around with no knowledge of this hidden threat.
“Screening for AAA is so important. As people’s understanding
of the impact of AAA disease has increased, so has awareness of risk and
availability of screenings,” Dr. Poblete explains.
When it comes to AAA, determining your risk can help you know whether
you should be screened. It is recommended that individuals who match the
following profile have an ultrasound screening for aortic aneurysm:
- Smoker
- Family history of AAA
- Male
- Age 65+; or 60 with a family history
“Anyone who has these risk factors should get screened at least once
a year for AAA. It’s a fast, simple screening that could save your
life,” says Dr. Poblete.
For Thomas, the danger of AAA is all too real. “It’s scary
because you don’t know you even have it. Now that we know AAA is
in the genes, my sons all get screened for it,” Thomas says.