Most people do not realise they have an aortic aneurysm due to its silent nature until it is found during a routine scan or starts causing symptoms. As the weakened area in the artery grows, it can be life-threatening if left untreated.
The good news is that it can be treated effectively. Depending on the extent and severity of the individual disease pattern, the expert team will decide on endoscopic intervention or open surgery. If your doctor recommends surgery, understanding Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR) vs open surgery can help you make an informed decision. Knowing how these procedures differ, who they are best suited for, and what recovery looks like can help you feel more confident about the road ahead.
What is an Aortic Aneurysm?
The aorta is the body's largest artery, responsible for carrying oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body. In susceptible patients, its wall can weaken, causing it to bulge outward over time. This bulge is known as an aortic aneurysm. As the aneurysm grows, the risk of the aorta tearing or rupturing increases, creating a life-threatening medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.
Recognising the Symptoms
Most of the time, an aneurysm grows silently without causing symptoms. An aneurysm of the aorta can occur anywhere from its origin in the chest to its bifurcation in the lower abdomen. In abdominal aortic aneurysms, a pulsating mass is the hallmark sign. The patient can also present with varying degrees of abdominal pain, back pain, and lower limb pain.
However, if an aortic aneurysm is about to rupture or is compromising the blood circulation to internal organs or pressing on vital organs, you might experience excruciating pain and pressure in your back, chest or belly. This is a medical emergency requiring urgent intervention. If you experience persistent or unusual symptoms, seek medical attention promptly.
Understanding the Causes
Uncontrolled and high blood pressure, smoking, or a family history of the disease can all trigger it. In some people, an inherited genetic condition can also weaken the aortic wall. These conditions can damage the inner lining of major arteries, including the aorta, resulting in its dilatation.
How to Detect an Aneurysm: The Diagnosis Process
The diagnosis process involves reviewing your symptoms, medical history, and imaging results. This includes an ultrasound study followed by a CT scan to map out the exact size, location and severity of the aneurysm.
Can an Aneurysm be Cured?
Once the artery is stretched, it will not get back to its normal size on its own. Small aneurysms are just watched closely with regular CT scans. However, intervention is required when the bulge grows too large, the risk of bursting is high, and there is unbearable pain. If treated on time, by surgery or endoscopically, the chances of recovery are higher.
Fixing the Weak Arteries
When the symptoms do not improve with regular pills, EVAR or surgery is often the most effective solution. Mostly, it can be managed endoscopically. During this minimally invasive procedure, the doctor threads a catheter through a small cut in your leg and up into the weak area and deploys the stented endograft there. It reinforces the weakened section of the aorta from within. This can avoid the long cut as in traditional surgery.
Comparing the Two Options
Choosing the right path depends on your presentation. The traditional method involves a large incision to perform the surgery, which may take longer recovery time. In contrast, the endoscopic approach is minimally invasive and can be performed expeditiously. Because the body is not subjected to extreme surgical stress, the EVAR recovery time is short. Most patients go home in just a day or two.
How to Prevent Aneurysms
Reducing your risk factors can minimise the presentation and progression of an aortic aneurysm. If you have a family history, then regular screening is mandatory to avoid catastrophic complications. Avoiding smoking, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise and keeping your blood pressure under control can support long-term heart and vascular health.
Getting the Right Heart Care
Living with a weakened aorta requires an expert doctor to guide your management plan. If you are in the UAE, working with the best cardiac surgeon in Dubai at Aster Hospitals ensures you are getting a personalised treatment plan. Our specialists review every detail of your scans to determine whether a minimally invasive approach or a traditional operation is safest.
Moreover, by bringing together top-tier medical care, we strive to be one of the best cardiac centres in Dubai for your long-term health.
Bottom Line
An aortic aneurysm is more than just a simple bulge; it is a dangerous structural weakness of the aorta. This condition can lead to a fatal rupture if left untreated. Early diagnosis and the right surgical treatment can effectively repair the weak spot and help you live a healthy life.
If you notice persistent and severe belly, chest or back pain, do not delay seeking care. Choosing the right hospital, where a highly specialised cardiac surgery team is experienced in complex cardiovascular interventions ranging from aneurysm repair to heart valve repair & replacement surgery in Dubai, makes all the difference in your clinical outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an aneurysm the same as a heart attack?
No. A heart attack is a blocked artery. An aneurysm is a bulge in a major blood vessel. Both are cardiac emergencies but require different treatments.
Can I exercise if I have a small aneurysm?
Yes, but you should follow your doctor’s advice carefully. Strict compliance with medications and light walking is great for controlling blood pressure. Avoid heavy lifting to prevent life-threatening emergencies.
Is a swollen aorta a normal part of ageing?
Absolutely not. While ageing can cause blood vessels to lose some of their elasticity, an artery that has enlarged or weakened should never be considered a normal age-related change. It requires a medical evaluation. It can be inherited in families; hence, regular screening becomes essential.
How do I know which surgery is right for me?
Cardiovascular surgery specialists at our best cardiology hospital in Dubai will decide based on the individual pathology and presentations whether it can be treated with EVAR or surgery.
What is the difference between EVAR and open surgery for an aortic aneurysm?
EVAR repairs the aneurysm from inside the artery using a stent graft through a small incision in the groin, while open surgery replaces the weakened section of the aorta with special grafts through a larger incision. However, the approach is decided based on the patient's safety.
Which has a faster recovery: EVAR or open aneurysm repair?
Most patients recover faster after EVAR, with shorter hospital stays and a quicker return to daily activities. Open aneurysm repair usually requires a longer recovery because it is a more extensive operation.
Where can I get treatment for an aortic aneurysm in Dubai?
Choosing an aneurysm treatment hospital like Aster Hospitals, with experienced vascular and cardiac surgery specialists, advanced imaging facilities, and comprehensive follow-up care, is the best option for aortic aneurysm treatment.