Aneurysms

The vascular specialists at UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute offer the latest open and minimally invasive treatment options for aortic and peripheral aneurysms. Our team of vascular interventional cardiologists and vascular surgeons offer you the full range of vascular care.

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On this page

• What Are Aneurysms?
• What Are the Symptoms of Aneurysms?
• How Do You Diagnose Aneurysms?
• How Do You Treat Aneurysms?

What is an Aneurysm?

An aneurysm occurs when the wall of your artery becomes weak and balloons out. If your artery ruptures, it can cause severe bleeding (hemorrhage) and can sometimes be deadly. Brain aneurysms occur in the arteries that supply blood to your brain and are usually treated by a neurosurgeon, but there are several other types of aneurysms that are treated by cardiovascular specialists, including:

Aortic aneurysm – Your aorta is the major artery that supplies blood to your vital organs. If an aneurysm occurs in the part of your aorta that passes through your chest, it is called a thoracic aortic aneurysm. If an aneurysm occurs in the part of your aorta that passes through your abdomen, it is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

• Peripheral aneurysm – A peripheral aneurysm occurs in an artery other than the aorta that is located in another part of your body, such as your leg, groin, or neck.
• Popliteal aneurysm – A popliteal aneurysm is a common type of peripheral aneurysm that occurs in the popliteal artery behind your knee.
• Carotid artery aneurysm – A carotid artery aneurysm is a type of peripheral aneurysm that occurs in the arteries on either side of your neck.

What are aneurysm risk factors and complications?

Aneurysm risk factors

You may be at an increased risk of developing an aortic or peripheral aneurysm if you have a condition that injures or weakens the walls of your arteries, such as atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), trauma, or infection. Other risk factors include:

• Aging.
• Certain genetic conditions.
• High blood pressure.
• High cholesterol.
• Obesity.
• Smoking.
• A personal or family history of aneurysms.

How can I prevent aneurysms?

You may not be able to control some of your risk factors for aortic or peripheral aneurysms, such as aging, genetic conditions, and family history. However, eating a heart-healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, and controlling chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol may help to lower your risk.

• Concerned about your risk of aneurysm? Learn more about our free vascular screening program for patients who have some of the risk factors for developing aneurysms.

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What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Aneurysms?

Aneurysms may not cause symptoms until they become very large or rupture, which is a medical emergency. Also, symptoms of your aneurysm will depend on where the aneurysm is located. Common symptoms of aortic or peripheral aneurysms include:

• Severe pain at the site of the aneurysm that doesn't go away.
• Rapid heart rate.
• Dizziness.
• Low blood pressure.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Clammy skin.
• A feeling that something is not right.

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How Do You Diagnose Aneurysms?

We use the following tests to diagnose aneurysms:

• Ultrasound – An ultrasound is an imaging test that uses sound waves to produce pictures of your blood vessels, which can help your doctor find an aneurysm.
• CT angiography – CT angiography is an imaging test that uses a CT scan to find abnormalities in your blood vessels. During CT angiography, you will receive an injection of contrast dye that allows your doctor to see your blood vessels in the CT images.
• Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) – During an MRA, you will receive an injection of contrast dye that allows your doctor to see your blood vessels in the 3D images taken by an MRI machine.

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How Do You Treat Aneurysms?

Surgery for aneurysms

Open surgery repair-If your aneurysm requires open surgery, our surgeons will use the latest techniques to reach your aneurysm directly. Your surgeon may use a vein graft or a prosthetic graft to reroute blood flow around the aneurysm.

Minimally Invasive procedures for aneursyms

Endovascular stent graft aneurysm repair. Our specialists perform minimally invasive endovascular repairs of aortic and peripheral aneurysms. Endovascular techniques allow your cardiovascular specialist to perform your aneurysm repair from inside your blood vessel by threading a special catheter and stent-graft through a small incision in your groin.

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By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2024-10-01.