Consumer Information

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

An abdominal aortic (ay-OHR-tik) aneurysm (AN-u-rizm) is also called a "triple A" or an "AAA". An aneurysm occurs when an artery wall becomes weak and stretches out like a balloon. The aorta is a large artery that starts in the heart and ends in the lower part of the abdomen (belly). An AAA is found in the part of the aorta that is in your abdomen.
Treatment of your AAA may depend on your age, the type and size of your AAA, and your health. You may be watched by caregivers if the aneurysm is small and not painful. You may need treatments such as medicine or surgery.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

There are always risks when you have surgery. If your aneurysm is painful, surgery may decrease the pain. The risks of having surgery are usually less than not having surgery if your aneurysm is painful. If the aneurysm bursts, you may die. Call your caregiver if you are worried or have questions about your medicine or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent: You have the right to understand your health condition in words that you know. You should be told what tests, treatments, or procedures may be done to treat your condition. Your doctor should also tell you about the risks and benefits of each treatment. You may be asked to sign a consent form that gives caregivers permission to do certain tests, treatments, or procedures. If you are unable to give your consent, someone who has permission can sign this form for you. A consent form is a legal piece of paper that tells exactly what will be done to you. Before giving your consent, make sure all your questions have been answered so that you understand what may happen.

Heart monitor: This is also called an ECG, electrocardiogram, or telemetry. Sticky pads are placed on your chest or different parts of your body. Each pad has a wire leading to a small portable box (telemetry unit), or to a TV-type screen. This lets caregivers see a tracing of the electrical activity of your heart. The heart monitor may help caregivers see problems with the way your heart is beating. Do not remove any wires or sticky pads without asking your caregiver first.

Pulse oximeter: A pulse oximeter is a machine that tells how much oxygen is in your blood. A cord with a clip or sticky strip is placed on your ear, finger, or toe. The other end of the cord is hooked to a machine. Caregivers use this machine to see if you need more oxygen.

Special tubes:

Arterial line: An arterial line is a tube that is placed into an artery (blood vessel), usually in the wrist or groin. The groin is the area where your abdomen meets your upper leg. An arterial line may be used for measuring your blood pressure or for taking blood.
Central line: A central line is an intravenous (IV) tube placed into a large blood vessel near your collarbone, in your neck, or in your groin. You may need a central line to receive medicines or fluids, or to have blood samples taken. The central line may be used to help caregivers know how your body is doing during and after surgery.

Tests: You may need one or more of the following tests. Some of these tests help caregivers find out how your abdominal aortic aneurysm is doing. Other tests are used to help caregivers plan your treatment.

Abdominal ultrasound: An abdominal ultrasound is a test that is done to see inside your abdomen. Sound waves are used to show pictures of your abdomen on a TV-like screen.
Aortogram: An aortogram test may also be called aortography. X-rays are used to take pictures of your aorta and other arteries around it. Before the x-ray, you are given dye through an IV. This dye helps the arteries show up better on the x-rays. People who are allergic to shellfish (lobster, crab, or shrimp) may be allergic to this dye. Tell your caregiver if you are allergic to any of these.
Blood tests: You may need blood taken for tests. The blood can be taken from a blood vessel in your hand, arm, or the bend in your elbow. It is tested to see how your body is doing. It can give your caregivers more information about your health condition. You may need to have blood drawn more than once.
CT scan: This test is also called a "CAT" scan. A special x-ray machine uses a computer to take pictures of your abdominal area. Before taking the pictures, you may be given x-ray dye through an IV in your vein. X-ray dye helps the aneurysm show up better in the pictures. Tell your caregiver if you are allergic to shellfish (lobster, crab, or shrimp), because you may be allergic to this dye.
MRI: This test is also called a magnetic resonance imaging scan. An MRI uses a large magnet and a computer to make pictures of your body. During the MRI, you may also have a test called magnetic resonance angiography or "MRA". MRI and MRA help caregivers see the size of your AAA. During this test, you may also receive liquid through an IV.

Treatment options: Tests will help caregivers decide on the best treatment plan for you. You may have one of more of the following treatments:

Medicine: Medicine may stop your AAA from growing larger. You may need medicine to treat other problems such as high blood pressure or too much fat in your blood.
Quit smoking: You may be told to quit smoking. Smoking may cause your AAA to grow larger and get worse. It can also increase your risk of having a heart attack, lung disease, and cancer. You will help yourself and those around you by not smoking. Ask your caregiver for more information about how to stop smoking if you are having trouble quitting.
Surgery: You may need surgery to repair your AAA. Caregivers may use a man-made graft to bypass the AAA and make the blood vessel stronger.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Link to Page

Print Page

Email Page

	Search:
Browse all medications A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z	Advanced Search