Peripheral Aneurysms

What are Peripheral Artery Aneurysms ?

A weakening in the wall of a blood vessel in your abdomen or sometimes in a leg which results in an abnormally dilated area. This dilated area is prone to:

Clotting off and interrupting blood flow
Rupturing and causing serious bleeding
Compressing adjacent tissues

USUALLY GENETIC, RARELY OCCUR

Peripheral aneurysms are usually genetic; that is, you are born with the tendency to form them.
Aneurysms in the abdomen, called splenic aneurysms, are uncommon, affecting 0.7% of the population.
Peripheral aneurysms in the legs are very rare, affecting 0.007% of men, and even fewer women.

MAY REQUIRE TREATMENT

If you develop a peripheral aneurysm, it will not go away unless treated.

Most peripheral aneurysms over 2 cm in diameter require treatment.In some cases even smaller aneurysms may require treatment

Symptoms

Causes

Diagnosis
Treatment
How to stay safe

Peripheral aneurysms are often identified in a physical exam. If so, make an appointment to see a vascular surgeon.

TESTS MAY BE RECOMMENDED

If a peripheral aneurysm is suspected, duplex ultrasound and computerized tomography (CT) scans are good tests to confirm its presence.
If your vascular surgeon prescribes treatment, a computerized tomography (CT) angiography or catheter angiography may be needed.

How best to treat an aneurysm depends on its location, the condition of surrounding blood vessels and other medical issues.

BYPASS SURGERY is one way to treat a peripheral aneurysm in your leg. First, blood flow is redirected around the aneurysm. Then, the aneurysm is removed or tied off to prevent circulating blood from continuing to fill the aneurysm.

STENT GRAFTING is used in some cases. During a catheterization procedure, a graft is placed inside the vein to seal off the aneurysm.

A SPLENIC ANEURYSM in your abdomen may be treated with embolization (occlusion) of the aneurysm, or with removal of the spleen.

Maintain a good cardiovascular lifestyle, including a low-saturated-fat diet and 30 minutes of some kind of aerobic activity at least five times per week.

If you have family members with aneurysms, it is important for you to be checked.
Smoking cessation is the best controllable way to prevent peripheral aneurysm growth.
Manage cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar to healthy levels.
If you are diagnosed with a peripheral aneurysm, ongoing follow-up with your vascular surgeon is critical

Peripheral Artery Aneurysms

Also Read

Quick Facts

What are Peripheral Artery Aneurysms ?

Symptoms

MAY BE ABSENT

ABDOMINAL PAIN, FAINTING

SUDDEN PAIN, WEAKNESS, SWELLING, NUMBNESS IN THE LEG

PAINFUL, DISCOLORED TOE

Causes

SOME SPECIFIC CAUSES OF PERIPHERAL ANEURYSMS INCLUDE:

TESTS MAY BE RECOMMENDED

What are Peripheral Artery Aneurysms ?

Symptoms

MAY BE ABSENT

ABDOMINAL PAIN, FAINTING

SUDDEN PAIN, WEAKNESS, SWELLING, NUMBNESS IN THE LEG

PAINFUL, DISCOLORED TOE

Causes

SOME SPECIFIC CAUSES OF PERIPHERAL ANEURYSMS INCLUDE:

TESTS MAY BE RECOMMENDED

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