Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) occurs when the large blood vessel that supplies blood to the abdomen, pelvis, and legs becomes abnormally large or balloons outward.
Although this can happen to almost any artery in the body, it is most common in the abdominal aorta.
Complications of AAAs
The larger the aneurysm, the more likely it is to rupture, or break open.
Because the aorta is the body’s main supplier of blood, a ruptured aneurysm can cause:
- bleeding, which can lead to shock or even death.
- embolization, when a clot forms inside the aneurysm then travels to other organs in your body, which can cause severe pain and more serious complications, such as limb loss.
Risk factors for AAAs
Abdominal aortic aneurysms can develop in anyone and may also run in families.
They are most often seen in men over 60, with one or more of the following risk factors:
- smoking
- high blood pressure
- high cholesterol
- emphysema
- obesity
About the Division of Vascular Surgery
At UPMC, abdominal aortic aneurysms are treated by experts in the Division of Vascular Surgery.
What distinguishes our program?
- Our surgeons — specialists in minimally invasive therapies for abdominal aortic aneurysms, which they helped pioneer for the entire vascular system.
- Our experience — our experts perform hundreds of procedures every year. UPMC also is a major referral center for patients with complicated conditions or who need additional operations.
- Our coordinated approach — our team of surgeons works closely with other specialists to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated approach to treatment.
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