Abdominal aortic aneurysm

[Hysteria1983]

Ok, has anyone ever had one of these and suffered any complications?

My GP is sending me for a scan after what I thought was a hernia, is actually and 'aaa'!

[Nimby]

Yes my dad, who died on the operating table. At the time - 15 years ago - surgery was no better than 50% successful, hopefully that's improved now.

There is a small hereditary risk so I had an ultrasound scan just in case, but that was OK.

[motco]

My father also had a fatal example of this. He passed out in front of the TV one evening after a day at my house. He complained of backache that day and it let go the same evening. He died three days later before surgery could be carried out. He was 88 years old and otherwise remarkably well. I also had a u/s scan some years ago - maybe time for another...

[Hysteria1983]

Well at the moment the gp just wants me scanned, no rupture yet, and until the scan I won't know how big or small the aneurysm is.

I'm 29, fit and we'll in most aspects.

[randomwalk]

My dad had this detected when he was to have a heart valve replaced, the aneuyrism was about to pop, grapefruit size. They fixed it after a very long surgery back in 1991, he went back for another surgery in 2005 as another aneuyrism had appeared, since then all good. He has had a history of high blood pressure and it was the monitoring of this condition that meant these other conditions were picked up.

[condor]

My dad also had one 1.5 years ago, but survived after a few days in intensive care (he was given a 20-80 chance of life).
He originally complained of severe lower back pain , then collapsed at Exeter bus station and an ambulance was called to take him to Exeter hospital, where he was operated on nearly straight away.
My uncle died of one, shopping in a town centre, about 15 years ago...so might be something in the hereditary link.

[randomwalk]

From what I understand they like to monitor them to see if they grow and at some point an operation is required where they would replace a section of the aorta with a synthetic part. My dad has had this done twice and at almost 79 is fit, plays golf, etc. The important thing is to keep it monitored, btw I was not aware it could be heritary, better get myself checked!

[turbolucie]

Did the GP diagnose the AAA simply by feeling it? You might find that the scan discounts it, wait and see. 29 is very young, I'm watching with interest to see your scan results...do you have any family history of these, or heart/vascular disease?

Someone above is right that they monitor AAAs and operate if they get above a certain size, I believe at the moment the cutoff is about 5.5cm wide. This is the size at which it's at a much higher risk of rupturing, and as seen above, ruptured AAAs hold a very high risk.

Edited by turbolucie on Monday 4th March 20:04

[steve_r]

Nimby said:

Yes my dad, who died on the operating table. At the time - 15 years ago - surgery was no better than 50% successful, hopefully that's improved now.

There is a small hereditary risk so I had an ultrasound scan just in case, but that was OK.

Fixing them as a planned procedure mortality is around 1 to 2 percent

As an emergency when unknown ones rupture it's said 50% of people don't make it to hospital (due to massive sudden internal bleeding). Of the 50% that get to surgery 40% of those are too poorly to get through.

OP, You are very young to be diagnosed with one of these. Was it just from examining you that the doctor mentioned it? are you very slim by any chance??

[anonymous-user]

Father dropped dead of one aged 66, mine was diagnosed at 49 (I'm 52 now), apparently hereditary. Regular scans, ECG etc. have been told to expect an operation by the time I'm 60 depending on how it goes.

[motco]

steve_r said:

Nimby said:

Yes my dad, who died on the operating table. At the time - 15 years ago - surgery was no better than 50% successful, hopefully that's improved now.

There is a small hereditary risk so I had an ultrasound scan just in case, but that was OK.

Fixing them as a planned procedure mortality is around 1 to 2 percent

As an emergency when unknown ones rupture it's said 50% of people don't make it to hospital (due to massive sudden internal bleeding). Of the 50% that get to surgery 40% of those are too poorly to get through.

OP, You are very young to be diagnosed with one of these. Was it just from examining you that the doctor mentioned it? are you very slim by any chance??

Good question. My Good Woman is very slim and you can feel the pulse in her aorta easily when she's lying down.

[Rollin]

Good luck OP.

Nowt like PH to put your mind at ease eh?

[Hysteria1983]

motco said:

steve_r said:

Nimby said:

Yes my dad, who died on the operating table. At the time - 15 years ago - surgery was no better than 50% successful, hopefully that's improved now.

There is a small hereditary risk so I had an ultrasound scan just in case, but that was OK.

Fixing them as a planned procedure mortality is around 1 to 2 percent

As an emergency when unknown ones rupture it's said 50% of people don't make it to hospital (due to massive sudden internal bleeding). Of the 50% that get to surgery 40% of those are too poorly to get through.

OP, You are very young to be diagnosed with one of these. Was it just from examining you that the doctor mentioned it? are you very slim by any chance??

Good question. My Good Woman is very slim and you can feel the pulse in her aorta easily when she's lying down.

I am slim yes, so there is a possibility that it is just a hernia, as I have a clear and obvious bulge above my belly button.

It was that which initiated my trip to see the gp.

There is also a query over Mar fans syndrome, with some other issues, but i think he's on a hunch there.

I will keep you updated when the scan is done. I'm so impatient though, I'm thinking of getting a referral and going up to the Nuffield. But I will hold off and see what the date of the scan is.

[BlackVanDyke]

My abdominal aorta is scanned every now and then as I have a condition which predisposes to problems - I've done enough reading to know that just the fact that there IS an aneurysm is not a subject for mega panic - it's what it does that needs keeping an eye on. Remember that a tiny bump which does not progress may still be diagnosed as an aneurysm but never ever be any kind of concern for your health.

For all you lot who think you might be due a scan or checkup get it done!

[Hysteria1983]

Rollin said:

Good luck OP.

Nowt like PH to put your mind at ease eh?

Tell me about it,

Any advice on this matter is good advice to be honest.

My dad died of a heart attack and had high blood pressure for a good chunk of his 50's (would have been 60 last year).
That does make me slightly concerned that there may have been a risk in the future, but if this is the case, at least it's been noticed.

I'm hoping that the bulge can still be fixed though?