Tests for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Most abdominal aortic aneurysms, that are not causing symptoms, are discovered during routine imaging for other health concerns or during a routine exam. If your physician suspects you have abdominal aortic aneurysm, the following imaging tests may be used to determine size, location of the aneurysm, and treatment options:

Abdominal Ultrasound – This is a non-invasive test that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce pictures of the organs and structures in the body.
CT scans – This painless test produces cross-sectional images of the body's organs and structures using x-rays and a computer.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – MRI uses a large magnet to produce clear images of organs and structures in the body. This procedure does not involve the use of X-rays.
Angiography- Angiography is the X-ray study of the inside of the heart and blood vessels. It is done by inserting a catheter in the blood vessel and injecting a radiographic contrast material, or dye.

Treatment for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms include:

Watch and Wait -

If your abdominal aortic aneurysm is small and not causing any symptoms, your physician may suggest watching and waiting, which means you will be monitored for changes in the size of your abdominal aortic aneurysm. this approach is usually used for abdominal aortic aneurysms that are less than 2 inches in diameter. Your physician may schedule you for imaging tests every 6 months.

There are two types of surgical treatments for large aneurysms.

Open surgical repair

Your physician may recommend surgical repair, if your abdominal aortic aneurysm is larger than 2 inches in diameter or you are experiencing symptoms. This involves the surgeon making an incision to access the abdominal aortic aneurysm. The weakened portion of the aorta is replaced with a tube-like graft that acts as a replacement blood vessel. This graft is sewn in place and it is usually made of strong durable synthetic material. Open surgical repair is a proven procedure that has a good track record and acceptable risks. Since this procedure requires open abdominal surgery, there is a long recovery period. The average hospital stay is from 5 to 8 days. Patients usually return to normal activity ranges from 6 weeks to 3 months.

Endovascular repair

Instead of an open surgical repair your surgeon may consider placing an endovascular stent graph.  Endovascular surgery is minimally invasive and designed to access many regions of the body via major blood vessels.  Small incisions are made in each groin and the surgeon uses long thin tubes called catheters to guide the stent-graph to your abdominal aortic aneurysm.   The surgeon uses x-rays to help guide the catheter and to ensure the stent-graph is in the proper location.  Once in the proper position, the stent-graph is opened inside the weakened portion of the aorta. The stent-graft reinforces the weakened part of the aorta and prevents the aneurysm from rupturing. 

The recovery time for endovascular repair is less than patients who have surgical repair.  Patients leave the hospital in 2 to 3 days and return to normal activity in 2 to 6 weeks.  However, this procedure requires more follow-up visits and imaging tests to evaluate the stent-graft repair.