Complications

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture

• Embolism: caused by thrombotic material from the aneurysm

• Aortic dissection

• Postoperative complications [19]

  • Ischemia of the bowel, kidneys, and spinal cord

  • Anterior spinal artery occlusion

  • Prosthetic graft infection

  • Aortoenteric fistula

  • Complications following EVAR [1]

    • Endoleak

    • Access site complications, e.g., bleeding, hematoma, false aneurysm

    • Graft limb thrombosis

• The following measures are thought to reduce the risk of developing an AAA:

  • Eating nuts, fruits, and vegetables more than three times a week

  • Exercising more than once a week

  • Smoking cessation

• Indications

  • Men aged 65–75 years with a history of smoking (ever smokers) [1][2]

  • Consider screening:

    • Individuals aged 65–75 years with a family history of AAA in a first-degree relative [1][2]

    • Women aged 65–75 years with a history of smoking (ever smokers) [1][2]

    • Individuals aged > 75 years with no previous screening and a history of smoking or family history of AAA [1][21]

• Modality: abdominal ultrasound [1][2][6]

• Frequency

  • One-time screening is recommended. [2]

  • Consider rescreening after 10 years if the aortic diameter was between 2.5 cm and 3 cm at the initial assessment. [1]

AAA screening is not recommended for women who have never smoked and have no family history of AAA

• Elective repair to prevent rupture

• Aneurysm monitoring with ultrasound

• Smoking cessation