What are the newest treatments for abdominal aneurysm?

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My father has been told here in Canada that he has an abdominal aneurysm. I am trying to find out if there are any new procedures as far as treatment goes. He may have to travel to the United States for private medical procedures. I am also trying to find out the cost. Anyone who has just been through this type of ordeal and lived to tell me about it now so greatly appreciated.
Jamie M,
Endovascular surgery may benefit those who need surgery but are at high risk of complications because of pre-existing medical conditions. According to a national study conducted at medical centers throughout the United States, endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms has fewer complications than traditional surgery. The procedure results in less blood loss, less trauma to the aorta, and fewer (or no) days in intensive care. Average recovery time is about one to two weeks, compared to six weeks with open surgery. Endovascular surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysms is performed by cardiac and vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists who specialize in blood vessel surgery. In the procedure, a synthetic graft (stent-graft consisting of a polyester tube inside a metal cylinder) is attached to the end of a thin tube (catheter) that is inserted through an artery in the leg. Watching the progress of the catheter on an X-ray monitor, the surgeon threads the stent-graft to the weak part of the aorta to reinforce the weakened section and prevent rupture of the aneurysm. Once in place, the metal frame is expanded like a spring to hold tightly against the wall of the aorta, cutting off the blood supply to the aneurysm. The blood now flows through the stent-graft, avoiding the aneurysm. With this technique, there is no need to make a large incision in the abdomen or to cut away the damaged section of the aorta. The aneurysm typically shrinks over time. The success rate of using stent-grafts to treat abdominal aortic aneurysms has risen to above 95 percent. Although endovascular surgery reduces recovery time to a few days, it still carries risk. And because the procedure is fairly new, long-term results are unknown. Complications can occur with this procedure, namely blood leaking from the graft, known as endoleak. Stent-grafts are usually the best option for older patients, for whom surgery poses significant risk. Patients whose aneurysms are repaired with stent-grafts must return for monitoring every six months initially. However, this procedure is not right for every patient. It is an effective treatment in properly selected patients. The appropriate procedure, open versus endovascular, depends on many factors and is best determined by the medical team in consultation with the patient.
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This is part of a study that was presented at the 51st Annual Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology; March 17, 2002; Atlanta, Ga.

The costs are apparently less in Canada than in the USA. This is dependent on whether the operation is non-elective (ie. emergency or urgent surgery) or elective. Excluding surgeon’s fees the difference in mean treatment costs, in 2000, was over $ 7000. The reported costs in the USA range between $20,000 to $30,000. Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair is a costly procedure that is commonly performed in both Canada and the United States. The cost of open AAA repair is substantially higher in the United States despite shorter lengths of stay and similar clinical outcomes. This differential primarily reflects higher resource and administrative costs in the United States. However, although treatment costs are lower in Canada, Canadian hospitals may be less efficient at streamlining services, resulting in significantly longer hospital stays. With the growing consciousness in North America concerning cost-effectiveness in health care provision, Canada and the United States may each benefit by looking to the other for cost-reducing strategies. Cost of treatment in the United States was 55% higher than in Canada.


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Hope this helps
matador 89
  (+ info)

What happens to the pupils when you have a stroke or brain aneurysm?

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If someone is having a stroke or brain aneurysm will their pupils be dilated and fixed or just dilated or neither of the two normal etc?
depends, if stroke, pupil on opposite side of infarct will dilate, with aneurysm both pupils will dilate because of the intracranial pressure within the skull, it's a hard enclosed cavity and when it gets flooded with blood (or swelling) there are only so many places it can escape (eye sockets, ears, nose.) Also depends on the stoke, i've seen strokes where only speech is affected and a slight weakness, but no dilation of pupils. All of which are serious though. Hope that helps.  (+ info)

What exercise equip in the gym should be avoided with an slight an aortic aneurysm?

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My husband has been diagnosed with a slight aortic aneurysm, he is 74 We have used equipment in the gym, elliptical, bike, weight lifting etc. He also spends at least time on an outdoor 2 mile walk. Are their some of these more dangerous now with this diagnosis?
Do you have any symptoms regarding bowel movement?


Our body, just like the universe, has a pattern which evolves through time. Therefore by including the concept of "time" into the diagnosis, we can predict the pattern of our body, like the way we can predict the patterns in the universe. I am a Licensed Acupuncturist who practices what I call "Time Medicine". For years, I perform my diagnosis by using your gender, birthdate, time of birth, and city and country of birth. I am able to immediately see the pattern, such as the physical appearance, the preference of food, the personality, and most importantly, accurately predict the time of event, and the type of disorder this person has. By understanding the constitution, I am able give my clients awareness as to how to prevent many ailments that may occur in their own pattern.
So did I answer your question?
Send a reply with the information of your gender, birthdate, time of birth, and city and country of birth.
Look forward to conversing with you.  (+ info)

What causes a person to have an aneurysm?

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A very good friend of mine that was much younger than me just past away--an aneurysm occured in his brain. What makes a person have an aneurysm? Is it smoking, is it stress....what causes it?

I need answers please!
It is unclear why a person develops a brain aneurysm. It appears that aneurysms are related to an absence of a muscular layer that makes up part of the blood vessels that over time stretches and thins. After the blood vessels has stretched and thinned too much, the aneurysm occurs.  (+ info)

How young can you be to get a brain aneurysm?

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I'm in my teens but I suffer from severe headaches and migraines almost everyday. My mother passed away from a brain aneurysm so I was wandering if it was possible if I could have one.
It's possible for an infant to have a brain aneurysm, because there may be a congenital defect that can cause one. With your family history, I'd have your family doctor refer you to a good neurologist so they can do a few tests. I'd suggest an MRI and a CT scan, possibly also an EEG. If nausea/vomiting and sudden blurry vision in one or both eyes are also symptoms, definitely get yourself checked out as soon as possible, because that can be a sign of raised intercranial pressure, which is very bad.  (+ info)

If you suffer from a brain aneurysm, what is your chance of survival?

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I just got news my aunt is now in this hospital with a brain aneurysm. She is not conscious, but the is apparently responsive (how I don't know). What are the chances that she will live, and if she lives, how likely is it that she will be severely disabled?
I've known 2 people who lived after a brain aneurysm.The first was a woman in her 40's or early 50's.She was a florist with a very successful business,she retained her ability to walk and talk but a lot of who she was was lost.And the 2nd was a young man in his late twenties who was expected to die but he lived but he is in a wheel chair and has to be cared for like a baby although he can talk and knows his family.So it all depends on how bad the bleed on the brain is,his was very extensive.  (+ info)

How long can it be between the symptoms and rupture of a brain aneurysm?

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Like, up to how many minutes, hours or days can it take between the time the patient begins to feel symptoms from a cerebral aneurysm and the time it actually ruptures?
It can be almost instantaneous.  (+ info)

How risky in a heart surgery that involves replacing a heart valve, and fixing two aneurysm?

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We found out that some one I know needs to have an open heart surgery because she was born with only two heart valves. On top of that they discovered two aneurysm in her heart and need to operate on her within a week. I know that all surgery is risky, but if any one can shed some light on this situation and possibly show me some statistics, it would be much appreciated.
Any surgery which involves multiple procedures to be done simultaneously will certainly be more risky, but with an experienced surgeon this type of surgery has a very high success rate. Some things to consider, though, are any other health issues of the person who is to have surgery. Age is a big factor, as is a persons activity level prior to surgery (more active people tend to "bounce back" more quickly). Also, smokers tend to have much longer recoveries due to lung issues (such as difficulty being weaned off the vent). Diabetics tend to heal more slowly, esp those with poorly controlled diabetes. Obesity also plays a large role, due to complications with infection, incisions re-opening, and greater difficulty with increasing activity after surgery.
There are many other factors that play a role - this is just a short list - and the surgeon will surely go over potential complications with the patient. Please let your friend know that you are there to help, but the first month or two after surgery is often hard on these patients as they struggle to recover. She may be reluctant to ask for help, but just doing simple things will be greatly appreciated. Make sure she has plenty of time to rest, and encourage her to eat, even if it is only a little - open heart patients tend to have very poor appetites after surgery!!  (+ info)

Can a rebleed occur after 10 years from brain aneurysm clipping ?

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Hello everyone:

I had a brain aneurysm in 1999 and I had it clipped the same year. I've been having headaches since 2001 to the present time, however, all 6 of my CT Scans/Angiograms came back OK in the past 10 years. Do I have anything to worry about? What are the chances of a "rebleed" after 10 years from a Clipping ?

Thank you in advance.
Pretty uncommon but yes, it is possible. Aneurysms, how ever they are treated can regrow and then be a potential risk for rebleed. Also, it is possible that you have developed another aneurysm. Since you have headache symptoms, you should get checked again. You should know that the treatment of aneurysms has changed significantly over recent years. There are several less invasive treatment options other than clipping (open surgery). If you have an aneurysm that needs treatment, depending on the type of doctor that you see, you may get different answers about the best treatment. I strongly urge you to talk with both a neurosurgeon and an interventional neuroradiologist. Depending on many factors (location, size, etc.) the different treatment options can have considerably different risks. Interventional neuroradiologists (and some neurosurgeons) treat aneurysms endovascularly, that is through a catheter, so both the risk and recovery are much less. However, not all brain aneurysms are best treated that way. You need to get advice from both specialists to know which is his best treatment. Also, you should seek out a doctor that treats a substantial number (more than 50 per year) of aneurysms. More experienced docs have better outcome statistics.  (+ info)

If you had an aneurysm how likely are you to have another one?

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My mom had an aneurysm last year and had to get surgery otherwise she would of died. Well she's recovered really well compared to most people who suffer aneurysms, but lately she's getting severe bad headache's again, how likely is she able to have another one?
Did the doctor know or tell you why the aneurysm formed and where it was? Depending on what type of surgery they did will depend on if another aneurysm could form in the same location or near it.

If the aneurysm was because of a connective tissue disorder there is definitely possibility for additional aneurysms. Whether they would cause headaches would depend on the location. It could be a different problem causing the headaches also if she does have a connective tissue disorder.

She should see the doctor soon.  (+ info)

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