Aortic aneurysm

An aortic aneurysm is an enlargement (dilatation) of the <a href="/facts/Aorta/ov2Gp9h4">aorta</a> to greater than 1.5 times normal size. Typically, there are no symptoms except when the <a href="/facts/Aneurysm/Yz3G3LoJ">aneurysm</a> <a href="/facts/Aortic_dissection/xsA2v4Vp">dissects</a> or <a href="/facts/Aortic_rupture/axQAEWxs">ruptures</a>, which causes sudden, severe pain in the abdomen and lower back.
The <a href="/facts/Etiology/Bz8MAeSq">etiology</a> remains an area of active research. Known causes include trauma, infection, and <a href="/facts/Inflammatory_disorders/Ura86MIy">inflammatory disorders</a>. Risk factors include cigarette smoking, extreme <a href="/facts/Alcoholism/KGPzpChp">alcoholism</a>, advanced age, <a href="/facts/Dyslipidemia/ty4sC76X">dyslipidemia</a>, <a href="/facts/Hypertension/wlAvBfcf">hypertension</a>, and <a href="/facts/Coronary_artery_disease/szCt0nVx">coronary artery disease</a>. The pathophysiology of the disease is related to an initial arterial insult causing a cascade of inflammation and extracellular matrix protein breakdown by <a href="/facts/Protease/G1ASdVat">proteinases</a> leading to arterial wall weakening. They are most commonly located in the <a href="/facts/Abdominal_aorta/W0hEwh5X">abdominal aorta</a>, but can also be located in the <a href="/facts/Thoracic_aorta/uhxP5wxV">thoracic aorta</a>.
Aortic aneurysms result from a weakness in the wall of the aorta and increase the risk of <a href="/facts/Aortic_rupture/axQAEWxs">aortic rupture</a>. When rupture occurs, massive internal <a href="/facts/Hemorrhage/CGyFMU0F">bleeding</a> results and, unless treated immediately, <a href="/facts/Hypovolemic_shock/f0hWLC8R">shock</a> and death can occur. One review stated that up to 81% of people having abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture will die, with 32% dying before reaching a hospital.
According to a review of global data through 2019, the prevalence of <a href="/facts/Abdominal_aortic_aneurysm/ojQkPj2g">abdominal aortic aneurysm</a> worldwide was about 0.9% in people under age 79 years, and is about four times higher in men than in women at any age. Death occurs in about 55-64% of people having rupture of the AAA.
Screening with <a href="/facts/Ultrasound/31Pa5IH9">ultrasound</a> is indicated in those at high risk. Prevention is by decreasing risk factors, such as <a href="/facts/Smoking/byhnmD0X">smoking</a>, and treatment is either by open or <a href="/facts/Endovascular_surgery/rShyKmad">endovascular surgery</a>. Aortic aneurysms resulted in about 152,000 deaths worldwide in 2013, up from 100,000 in 1990.

Aortic aneurysm open-in-new

Aortic aneurysm