Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

 

Aorta 

The largest  artery in diameter of human body, starting from heart and passing through the chest, it can be divided into the ascending aorta, aortic arch, and descending aorta. At the aortic hiatus in the diaphragm where it becomes the abdominal aorta. Normally it is about two centimeters in diameter tubular structure.

 

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

The cause of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm is abnormal dilation of abdominal aorta, which forms as balloon like structure. The aneurysm could enlarge in volume and eventually might have the chance of rupture. The rupture could lead to serious bleeding and death. 

 

Vascular Surgery of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital introduced the new technology medical technology right after the Department of Health approved license of abdominal aortic aneurysm stent graft in July 2005. Dr. Ko has been qualified for operating aortic stent graft and with the full support from the hospital, he has been offering this minimally invasive surgery of aortic aneurysms option for patients regularly.

 

Patients can visit cardiovascular surgery department for consultation and evaluation.

 

Aortic stent graft can be applied not only with abdominal aortic aneurysm, thoracic aortic aneurysm, descending aortic dissection (stripping) but also some infectious aortic aneurysm in order to reduce risk of invasiveness and infection. According to the domestic regulations, only qualified cardiovascular surgeons are allowed to perform aortic stent graft!

 

Abdominal aortic aneurysm risk factors are listed as followed,  male older than sixty years old with following circumstances should be screened

 

• Smoke

• Obesity

• Hypertension

• High cholesterol

• Family history

 

Symptoms & Self-awareness

 

• Pulsatile Abdominal lump

• Stomachache or abdominal distent graftion

• Back pain

• Indigestion, nausea

 

This technology can be applied to reduce the invasiveness.