Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Brought to you by Healthbase http://www.healthbase.com/ info.hb@healthbase.com 1-888-MY1-HLTH

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a localized dilatation of the abdominal aorta, that exceeds the normal diameter by more than 50%. The normal diameter of the infrarenal aorta is 2 cm. The aneurysm can extend to include one or both of the iliac arteries. AAA is caused by a degenerative process of the aortic wall.

Possible symptoms os AAA include low back pain, flank pain, abdominal pain, groin pain or pulsating abdominal mass. However, as most of the AAAs are asymptomatic, their presence is usually revealed during an abdominal examination for another reason - the most common being abdominal ultrasonography. It is recommended that men aged 65 to 75 years who have ever smoked have one-time screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm by ultrasonography. A physician may also detect the presence of an AAA by abdominal palpation.

ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM TREATMENT
An aneurysm is usually considered to be present if the measured outer aortic diameter is over 3 cm (normal diameter of aorta is around 2 cm). For aneurysms under 5 cm, the risk of rupture is low, so surgery is not recommended. Such aneurysms are therefore usually kept under surveillance until such time as they become large enough to warrant repair, or develop symptoms.

Surgery is considered for aneurysms larger than 5 cm.

AAA can be repaired in two ways:
- Open aneurysm repair (OR): Open repair (operation) is indicated in young patients as an elective procedure, or in growing or large, symptomatic or ruptured aneurysms.
- Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR): It is generally indicated in older, high-risk patients or patients unfit for open repair. However, endovascular repair is feasible for only a proportion of AAA's, depending on the morphology of the aneurysm. The main advantage over open repair is that the peri-operative period has less impact on the patient i.e. less time in intensive care, less time in hospital overall, earlier return to normal activity.

ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM COST AND AVAILABILITY
In the US, abdominal aortic aneurysm repair surgery can be very costly. If you are uninsured or underinsured then this could translate into a substantial out-of-pocket expense for your cardiac treatment.

Healthbase is a medical tourism expert. Healthbase offers a large network of international hospitals which offer the best thoracic aortic aneurysm repair surgery overseas at an affordable price.

Register or login to get your FREE personalized quote for a cheap thoracic aortic aneurysm repair surgery abroad.

Like it? Share it or save it!!

blinklist    blogmarks    del.icio.us    digg    furl
google     ma.gnolia     netscape     reddit   spurl
stumbleupon    technorati    yahoo myweb

Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm

Brought to you by Healthbase http://www.healthbase.com/ info.hb@healthbase.com 1-888-MY1-HLTH

Aneurysms involving the ascending aorta, aortic arch and descending thoracic aorta are termed thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA). Thoracic aneurysms most often occur in the descending thoracic aorta. Others may appear in the ascending aorta or the aortic arch. The most common cause of a thoracic aortic aneyrysm is hardening of the arteries.

Most thoracic aneurysms are asymtomatic. Most patients have no symptoms until the aneurysm begins to leak or expand. Most non-leaking thoracic aortic aneurysms are detected by tests - usually a chest x-ray or a chest CT scan - run for other unrelated reasons. Chest or back pain may mean sudden widening or leakage of the aneurysm.

THORACIC AORTIC ANEURYSM TREATMENT
Once a TAA is diagnosed, routine, scheduled follow-up is necessary by an aortic specialist. Aneurysm size needs to be followed closely and surgery is warranted if there is rapid growth over a short period of time or if a critical size is reached. High death rate is associated with the rupture of a thoracic aortic aneurysm. Also, surgical repair of a ruptured thoracic aneurysm carries a 25-50% mortality as opposed to a 5-8% mortality when such aneurysms are treated electively.

The treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysm depends on the location of the aneurysm.

Surgery to repair an ascending aortic or arch aneurysm is indicated for patients with aneurysm larger than 5-6 centimeters. The surgery involves removing the aneurysmal portion of the aorta and replacing it with a fabric substitute. If the aortic arch is involved, a specialized technique called "circulatory arrest" - a period without blood circulation while on life support - may be necessary.

There are two options for patients with aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta. If the aneurysm is larger than 6 centimeters, major surgery is done to replace the aorta with a fabric substitute. The other option is endovascular stenting, which is a less invasive option. A stent is a tiny metal or plastic tube that is used to hold an artery open. Stents can be placed into the body without cutting the chest. Instead, tiny, hollow tubes called catheters are inserted into the groin area. The stent is passed through the catheter and into the area of the aneurysm. Not all patients with descending thoracic aneurysms are candidates for stenting.

THORACIC AORTIC ANEURYSM COST AND AVAILABILITY
In the US, thoracic aortic aneurysm repair surgery can be very costly. If you are uninsured or underinsured then this could translate into a substantial out-of-pocket expense for your cardiac treatment.

Healthbase is a medical tourism expert. Healthbase offers a large network of international hospitals which offer the best thoracic aortic aneurysm repair surgery overseas at an affordable price.

Register or login to get your FREE personalized quote for a cheap thoracic aortic aneurysm repair surgery abroad.

Like it? Share it or save it!!

blinklist    blogmarks    del.icio.us    digg    furl
google     ma.gnolia     netscape     reddit   spurl
stumbleupon    technorati    yahoo myweb