Arterial Aneurysms

Aneurysms represent a dilation (ballooning) of the artery caused by weakening of the walls of the artery. They can occur almost anywhere in the body but most commonly occur in the abdominal aorta (known as AAA for abdominal aortic aneurysm), thoracic aorta (TAA), peripheral arteries (iliac, femoral, popliteal, subclavian), carotid arteries, and visceral arteries (splenic, renal, celiac, and hepatic).

Complications from aneurysms include rupture, which can cause life-threatening bleeding, and embolization (movement to a location further down the artery) of thrombus from within the aneurysm, which can cause limb-threatening ischemia, stroke, TIA, or end-organ injury.
Management of aneurysms often requires close surveillance with periodic ultrasounds, which we perform at our office in our accredited non-invasive vascular lab. Patients can receive the required test and be seen by their vascular surgeon at the same visit. Occasionally, a computed tomography (CT) scan is required.

Treatment of large or symptomatic aneurysms involves exclusion of the aneurysm by either minimally invasive (endovascular) stent graft placement, also known as EVAR for endovascular aneurysm repair, or open surgical reconstruction with a graft.