Endovascular Treatment for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Abstract

Abdominal aortic aneurysm is a pathological dilatation of the abdominal portion of the aorta artery. This enlargement increases the stress in the artery wall, which can cause the rupture of the vessel. The risk of rupture depends on a series of factors, but as it has a very high rate of mortality, once an aortic aneurysm is found, it is quite important to closely monitor it and, if it is necessary, plan an early intervention. Its most common symptoms are abdominal or back pain and a pulsatile feeling near the navel. Computed tomography is the best method to diagnose and size it.

A 58-year-old woman sought medical attention at São Paulo Hospital, complaining of an intense abdominal pain that suddenly started 2 weeks ago. The patient was a long-time smoker and had a history of systemic arterial hypertension. At physical examination, it was possible to sense a pulsatile mass in the mesogastric area. The CT scan of the region revealed the presence of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. As it was still unruptured, and its location, size. and neck were propitious, it was opted to do an endovascular stent-graft treatment, a less invasive technique. The patient’s aneurysm was successfully repaired, and she was discharged home after a week.

This case report illustrates a classical presentation of an abdominal aortic aneurysm that required immediate intervention, due to its elevated risk of rupture, and discusses about the choice of an endovascular technique to repair it.