Aneurysm Treatments in Modern Medicine

Treating aneurysms has come a long way since the early days of surgical medicine. Conditions that would have been fatal several decades ago are now often survivable by procedures that would have been inconceivable at that time. One particular example we will look at here is an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA). When first diagnosed with an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, many patients are scared to ask “what is an aneurysm?” It’s a natural hesitation, especially since the condition is often perceived as lethal. Not only does Dr. Ciuffo pride himself of his surgical technique and innovative methods, he also considers a patient’s understanding and clarification of their condition to be of the highest priority. If you’ve been diagnosed with this condition and are struggling to ask questions, take heart: there are health care professionals who care. What is an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm? Simply put, the aorta is the main conduit, or pipeline, in the body. It sends blood flowing to every organ and every part of the body through its side branches. When the aorta expands, or “balloons”, over time to a dangerous size, it becomes essential that it be repaired surgically. Failure to address the issue in time could lead to an aortic dissection, also known as a “blowout”. What makes this an abdominal issue, as opposed to a heart issue, is the location of the distress in the aorta. The part of the aorta that is closer to the heart – roughly from the solar plexus and higher – is considered the thoracic aorta. The part of the aorta below that area is considered the abdominal aorta. It...