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PAGE  PAGE 19 ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM The Diagnosis and Non Surgical Treatment Options Neil E Strickman, M.D. F.A.C.C., F.A.C.P., F.S.C.A.I. Clinical Professor of Medicine-Baylor College of Medicine Board Certified Interventional Cardiologist Chief of PV Services- HGCA Co Director of PV Interventional Training Program at Texas Heart Institute  HYPERLINK mailto:NEDEPPER@HGCARDIO.COM NEDEPPER@HGCARDIO.COM O’QUINN MEDICAL TOWER 6624 FANNIN #2480 HOUSTON, TX 77030 713-529-5530  INTRODUCTION The aorta is the main blood vessel that carries oxygen-filled blood from the heart to the rest of the body. It extends from the chest to the abdomen, where it branches (bifurcates) into the iliac arteries. The iliac arteries carry blood to lower parts of the body and to the legs. Sometimes with aging or other changes, a section of the aorta may weaken and begin to bulge. This bulge can enlarge over time as the walls of the aorta become thinner and stretch (like a balloon). This bulge in the aorta is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). (Fig 1) An aneurysm is a bulge or balloon that forms in the wall of a blood vessel. An aneurysm is most commonly a result of an accumulation of fatty deposits on the vessel wall, but may also relate to heredity, trauma or other disease states that weakens the vessel wall. Although an aneurysm can occur in any artery of the body, it is most common in the abdominal aorta and the iliac arteries. While the aorta’s diameter normally ranges from 2 -3 cm (1 ? inches), an aneurysm can cause it to grow to several times its normal size. Over time, if the AAA continues to grow, the aorta’s wall can become thin and lose its ability to stretch. The weakened sections of the aortic wall may become unable to support the force of blood flow. Such an aneurysm could burst, causing serious internal bleeding or even send blood clots down the legs to the feet. Unfortunately, in most cases, patients have no signs or symptoms of an AAA. During your