Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA)
AORTIC ANEURYSM EVALUATION & MONITORING
An abdominal aortic aneurysm, or AAA, is an enlargement of the main artery in the abdomen. Many aneurysms grow slowly and cause no symptoms, but larger or changing aneurysms need careful evaluation because rupture can be life-threatening.
- Affects the main abdominal artery
- Often found on imaging
- Size and growth guide care
- Urgent symptoms need evaluation
Evaluation & Next Steps
- Clear severity assessment and next steps
- Supportive care and recovery guidance
- Care across 4 Las Vegas locations
Call: (702) 703-4340
Hours: Mon–Fri: 8am–5pm
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Quick Summary
Key Takeaway: Abdominal aortic aneurysms often cause no symptoms, but size, growth rate, and rupture risk determine how closely they should be monitored or treated.
AAA care begins with confirming the aneurysm size, reviewing risk factors, and determining whether surveillance or vascular treatment planning is appropriate. Sudden severe abdominal, back, or flank pain can be an emergency and should be evaluated immediately.
Understanding Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
What is an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm?
An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a weakened, enlarged area of the aorta as it passes through the abdomen. The aorta carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body, so changes in its size and wall strength require careful monitoring.
Why Evaluation Matters
Evaluation helps measure the aneurysm, assess growth over time, identify risk factors, and determine whether observation, imaging surveillance, or treatment planning is the safest next step.
Symptoms of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
Many abdominal aortic aneurysms do not cause symptoms and are found during imaging for another reason. When symptoms occur, they may reflect aneurysm expansion, pressure on nearby structures, or a more urgent problem.
No Noticeable Symptoms
Some AAAs are discovered incidentally during ultrasound, CT, MRI, or other imaging.
Abdominal or Back Pain
Aneurysm-related discomfort may be felt in the abdomen, back, side, or flank.
Pulsing Sensation
Some patients notice a pulsing feeling in the abdomen, especially with larger aneurysms.
Sudden Severe Pain
Sharp, severe, or sudden abdominal, back, or flank pain may signal a medical emergency.
Seek care now if…
Seek emergency care for sudden severe abdominal, back, or flank pain, fainting, dizziness, weakness, low blood pressure symptoms, or known AAA with rapidly worsening pain. These can be warning signs of rupture or impending rupture.
Causes & Risk Factors
AAA risk is influenced by blood vessel wall weakening, age, smoking history, blood pressure, family history, and other vascular disease. Risk assessment helps determine surveillance and treatment planning.
Common Causes
- Aortic wall weakening
- Atherosclerosis
- Long-term smoking effects
- High blood pressure
- Family history of aneurysm
Most AAAs develop gradually. The main concern is whether the aneurysm is enlarging, whether it has reached a higher-risk size, and whether symptoms suggest instability.
Risk Factors
- Age over 65
- History of smoking
- Male sex
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Family history of AAA
- Peripheral artery disease
- Prior vascular disease
Diagnosis & Evaluation
Diagnosis focuses on confirming the aneurysm size, location, and growth pattern. Imaging helps determine whether the aneurysm can be monitored or needs treatment planning.
Typical Evaluation
- Review symptoms and risk factors
- Check prior imaging history
- Measure aneurysm size
- Ultrasound surveillance when appropriate
- CT angiography when detailed planning is needed
What to Bring
- Prior ultrasound or CT reports
- Imaging discs or portal access
- Medication list
- Smoking and vascular history
- Family aneurysm history
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on aneurysm size, growth rate, symptoms, anatomy, overall health, and rupture risk. Some AAAs are monitored with regular imaging, while others may need vascular repair planning.
Related care may include imaging surveillance, vascular risk-factor management, medication review, smoking cessation support, and discussion of endovascular or surgical repair when appropriate.
Risk Management
- Control blood pressure
- Stop smoking
- Manage cholesterol
- Review vascular disease risks
Monitoring & Symptom Protection
- Track aneurysm size
- Compare imaging over time
- Watch for new pain
- Keep surveillance appointments
Vascular Treatment Planning
- Review aneurysm anatomy
- Assess repair candidacy
- Discuss endovascular options
- Coordinate vascular follow-up
Follow-Up Evaluation
- Rapid aneurysm growth
- Larger aneurysm size
- New abdominal or back pain
- Emergency symptoms
Recovery & Long-Term Management
Long-term management depends on aneurysm size, whether treatment is needed, and how quickly the aneurysm changes. Follow-up is important because many AAAs are silent until they become higher risk.
What Helps Most
- Keeping surveillance imaging on the recommended schedule
- Controlling blood pressure and vascular risk factors
- Avoiding smoking or getting help to quit
- Reporting new pain in the abdomen, back, side, or flank
- Bringing prior imaging so growth can be compared accurately
When to Follow Up
- The aneurysm is newly diagnosed and needs baseline planning
- Imaging shows growth compared with prior studies
- AAA size reaches a treatment discussion range
- New abdominal or back pain develops
- Risk factors are changing or difficult to control
- Repair options need to be reviewed
Frequently Asked Questions
An abdominal aortic aneurysm is an enlargement or bulging of the aorta in the abdomen. It develops when part of the artery wall weakens and expands.
They can be. Many are monitored safely for years, but larger, fast-growing, or symptomatic aneurysms may have a higher rupture risk and need urgent evaluation or treatment planning.
Many cause no symptoms. Possible symptoms include abdominal, back, side, or flank pain, a pulsing abdominal sensation, or sudden severe pain if the aneurysm becomes unstable.
Diagnosis usually involves imaging such as ultrasound or CT. Imaging measures the aneurysm size, location, and anatomy so surveillance or treatment planning can be determined.
No. Smaller aneurysms are often monitored with scheduled imaging. Repair may be considered based on size, growth, symptoms, anatomy, and overall health.
Seek emergency care for sudden severe abdominal, back, or flank pain, fainting, dizziness, weakness, or known AAA with rapidly worsening symptoms.
Locations
LVVIS West Side Consultation Office
8930 W Sunset Rd, Suite 350
Las Vegas, NV 89148
Consultations and vascular evaluations
LV2 Limb & Vascular Division
8930 W Sunset Rd, Suite 350
Las Vegas, NV 89148
Limb preservation and podiatry partnership care
LVVIS East Procedure Office
2250 E Flamingo Rd, Suite 100
Las Vegas, NV 89119
Procedures, diagnostics, and circulatory care
LVVIS West Side Surgical Center
6120 S Fort Apache Rd, Suite 100
Las Vegas, NV 89148
Advanced vascular and interventional procedures