You have probably heard of emergency surgery to correct a vascular problem to increase a patient’s survival chances. Vascular conditions like aneurysms are ticking time-bombs and are fatal, especially when you do not seek medical attention. Aneurysms not only develop in your aorta, the bulges could also occur on other arteries to cause blockages. Tinley Park, IL general surgeon Sanjeev Pradhan, MD and his excellent staff offer their patients advanced diagnostic testing, medical interventions and reconstructive procedures to correct vascular problems and increase your survival chances.
The common types of aneurysms these vascular experts deal with include:
Aortic aneurysm
The aorta is your body’s largest blood vessel. The vessel is a durable and tough workhorse that transports oxygen-rich blood from your heart to all the other body parts throughout your lifetime. Unfortunately, the aorta’s walls sometimes weaken and experience an abnormal bulging in what your doctor will call an aortic aneurysm. The bulging could either be
· Saccular. Small lop-sided blisters that form on one side of the weak wall
· Fusiform. Uniform-shaped and appearing along an extended edge of the vessel
The two primary locations of an aortic aneurysm occur in either the chest (or thoracic) cavity or abdominal cavity. When your doctor notices a bulge in any part of your aorta during your routine exams, he or she might suggest observation so that it does not grow extensively and become problematic later. Alternatively, if the bulge is abnormally large, the professional will recommend a surgical procedure. Your treatment options could include:
· Medications
· Endovascular repair
· Stress management
To prevent you from having an aortic aneurysm, or to slow down the worsening process if you already have one, your doctor might suggest measures like:
· Regular exercise
· Controlling cholesterol and blood pressure levels by taking medications as your doctor has instructed.
· Limit salt in your diet and avoid saturated fats.
· Increase your fruit, vegetable, and low-fat dairy product consumption.
Peripheral aneurysms
While aneurysms are most common in your aorta, they can appear in other arteries which your doctor will term as a peripheral aneurysm.
There are various types of peripheral aneurysms. They include:
· Popliteal artery aneurysm occurs behind your knee
· Carotid artery aneurysm occurs in your neck
· Femoral artery aneurysm affects your groin area
· Splenic artery aneurysm occurs near your spleen
· Renal arteries aneurysm affects the vessels that supply your kidneys with blood
While your rupture risks are lower with peripheral aneurysms, you are more likely to develop blood clots that will slow down or block blood flow. If the clot extends for a long duration, you could end up losing the organ or tissue. Considering peripheral aneurysms are unlikely to cause problems when they are small, they might not need active treatment though your doctor may recommend medication and preventive measures. However, when the aneurysm ruptures, you will need emergency surgery to increase your survival chances.
Should your doctor advise on operating on an unruptured aneurysm, he or she will have to consider several factors, including:
· Your age and overall health
· Aneurysm’s size, location and growth rate
· Chronic abdominal pain
While small aneurysms have a minimal chance of affecting your health, they could eventually grow and cause problems later if you do not seek medical attention. To receive expert care for your aneurysms, contact a provider at Vascular Specialists to discuss your options.
