Abdominal aortic aneurysm
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Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) affect two million Americans annually. Because no symptoms appear in most cases, only 200,000 are diagnosed, often coincidentally during tests for other conditions.
AAAs are weak areas in the wall of the aorta. If an aortic aneurysm ruptures, it can cause life-threatening internal bleeding, with more than half of patients dying before reaching the hospital. Overall mortality after rupture is 80 percent to 90 percent. Death rates could be lowered by early detection through screening.
Three vascular surgeons perform AAA treatment at Park Nicollet Clinic—St. Louis Park. For more information, call Park Nicollet Vascular Surgery at 952-993-3180.
