Abdominal aortic aneurysm

An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a localized enlargement of the abdominal aorta caused by weakness in its wall. It can enlarge silently and rupture, causing life-threatening internal bleeding.

Aortic wall: The layered tissue structure that contains blood within the aorta and withstands arterial pressure. An aneurysm develops when the abdominal aortic wall loses strength.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening: Testing people without symptoms to detect abdominal aortic aneurysms before complications occur. Ultrasound screening can find aneurysms while they remain suitable for surveillance.
Aorta: The body’s largest artery, carrying blood from the heart to the systemic circulation. The abdominal aorta is the vessel segment affected by this aneurysm.
Smoking and abdominal aortic aneurysm: The strong association between tobacco exposure and the development and progression of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Smoking is a major modifiable risk factor for this condition.
Aneurysm growth: The progressive increase in size of an aneurysm over time. Expansion raises rupture risk and guides decisions about monitoring or repair.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm diagnosis: The identification and assessment of an abdominal aortic aneurysm using imaging and clinical evaluation. Imaging confirms the enlargement and measures its diameter.
Abdominal aorta: The portion of the aorta that runs through the abdomen below the diaphragm. Its location distinguishes this aneurysm from aneurysms in the chest.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm symptoms: The signs and sensations associated with an abdominal aortic aneurysm, including pain when it becomes symptomatic. Many aneurysms cause no symptoms until expansion or rupture.
Aortic aneurysm rupture: A tear through an aortic aneurysm that allows blood to escape into surrounding tissues. Rupture is the most dangerous complication of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Aortic ultrasound: An ultrasound examination that visualizes the aorta and measures its diameter. It is commonly used for screening and routine size surveillance.

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