Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Repair Enlarge Abdominal aortic aneurysm is a localized ballooning or widening of the main artery of the body (the aorta). An aneurysm weakens the wall of the aorta and can end in the aorta rupturing, with catastrophic consequences. As the diameter of the aorta increases, the chances of the AAA rupturing rise. A measurement of 5 cm or greater is often used to recommend surgery to remove the aneurysm and replace that section of the aorta with a graft, usually of artificial materials. AAA repair may require an incision in the abdomen, but endovascular AAA repair is increasingly common. AAA repair is a relatively rare procedure that requires technical proficiency and the use of complex equipment. Errors in surgical technique or management may lead to clinically significant complications, such as arrhythmias, acute myocardial infarction, colonic ischemia, and death, to name a few. Higher volumes of this kind of surgical procedure have been associated with better outcomes (e.g., lower post-operative mortality), which suggests better quality.

© 2005 UCompareHealthCare