Aneurysm (patient information)

Jump to navigation Jump to search

Aneurysm

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Who is at highest risk?

Diagnosis

When to seek urgent medical care?

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Aneurysm?

Prevention

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Aneurysm On the Web

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

Images of Aneurysm

Videos on Aneurysm

FDA on Aneurysm

CDC on Aneurysm

Aneurysmin the news

Blogs on Aneurysm

Directions to Hospitals Treating Aneurysm

Risk calculators and risk factors for Aneurysm

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Raviteja Guddeti, M.B.B.S. [2]

Overview

An aneurysm is an abnormal widening or ballooning of a portion of an artery due to weakness in the wall of the blood vessel.

What are the symptoms of Aneurysm ?

The symptoms depend on the location of the aneurysm. If the aneurysm occurs near the body's surface, pain and swelling with a throbbing mass is often seen.

Aneurysms within the body or brain often cause no symptoms.

If an aneurysm ruptures, pain, low blood pressure, a rapid heart rate, and lightheadedness may occur. The risk of death after a rupture is high.

What causes Aneurysm ?

It is not clear exactly what causes aneurysms. Some aneurysms are present at birth (congenital). Defects in some of the parts of the artery wall may be responsible. Common locations for aneurysms include:

High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and cigarette smoking may raise your risk of certain types of aneurysms. High blood pressure is thought to play a role in abdominal aortic aneurysms. Atherosclerotic disease (cholesterol buildup in arteries) may also lead to the formation of some aneurysms.

Pregnancy is often linked to the formation and rupture of splenic artery aneurysms.

Diagnosis

The health care provider will perform a physical exam.

Tests used to diagnose an aneurysm include:

When to Contact a Medical Professional ?

Call your health care provider for if you develop a lump on your body, whether or not it is painful and throbbing.

Treatment options

Surgery is generally recommended. The type of surgery and when you need it depends on your symptoms and the size and type of aneurysm.

Some patients may have endovascular stent repair. A stent is a tiny tube used to prop open a vessel or reinforce it's wall. . This procedure can be done without a major cut, so you recover faster than you would with open surgery. Not all patients with aneurysms are candidates for stenting, however.

Medications to avoid

aneurysm is considered an absolute contraindication to the use of the following medications:

Where to find medical care for Hypokalemia ?

Directions to Hospitals Treating Aneurysm

Prevention of Aneurysm

Control of high blood pressure may help prevent some aneurysms. Following a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and keeping your cholesterol at a healthy level may also help prevent aneurysms or their complications.

Do not smoke. If you do, quitting will lower your risk of an aneurysm.

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

With successful surgical repair, the outlook is often excellent.

Possible complications

The main complications of aneurysm include:

  • Compression of nearby structures such as nerves, which may lead to weakness and numbness (most common with aneurysms that occur in the artery behind the knee)
  • Infection, can lead to body-wide illness and rupture
  • Rupture, which can cause massive bleeding that may lead to death

Massive bleeding is commonly seen with abdominal aortic aneurysms, mesenteric artery aneurysms, and splenic artery aneurysms.

Rupture of brain aneurysms can cause stroke, disability, and death.

Related chapters

References

Template:WH Template:WS CME Category::Cardiology