Abdominal aortic aneurysm Simples ultrasound of the abdominal aorta a lifesaver

Time bomb in the stomach: Ten-minute ultrasound examination can save lives

In an abdominal aortic aneurysm, the abdominal aorta greatly expands until it threatens to rupture. In such cases danger to life threatens. Especially older men carry this ticking time bomb in themselves. With a ten-minute ultrasound examination, the danger can be detected and banned.

Diseased enlargement of the abdominal aorta

The life expectancy of Germans is rising and rising. This also increases the number of people who can develop problems with the main artery. According to doctors, the so-called abdominal aortic aneurysm is the most common and dangerous complication. This pathological enlargement of the abdominal aorta is usually caused by atherosclerosis. The main vessel in the stomach expands so strong until it threatens to tear. When this happens, a lot of blood flows into the abdomen within seconds, and the person often dies before being hospitalized. By an ultrasound examination, the problem can be detected early and possibly banned.

In many men, the abdominal aorta is dangerously dilated and can tear at any time. Then there is an imminent danger to life. With a short ultrasound scan, doctors can detect and ban the danger. (Image: auremar / fotolia.com)

Any doctor with an ultrasound device can perform the examination

"So far, aneurysms are usually discovered by accident, because at first they hardly cause discomfort," explains Professor Dr. med. Friedhelm Beyersdorf, Medical Director of the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of the University Heart Center (UHZ) Freiburg Bad Krozingen in a statement.

This could change now. Because since the beginning of 2018 pay the health insurance for men over 65 years, a check-up.

According to the information, four to eight percent of all men at this age have a dangerous vascular dilation.

During the examination, the doctor measures the diameter of the abdominal aorta with an ultrasound machine. If this is less than 2.5 centimeters, the findings are considered inconspicuous.

If the aorta is more than three centimeters thick, the patient must be ultrasonically monitored every six months.

From five centimeters, doctors speak of an aneurysm in need of treatment. The screening can be done by any doctor with ultrasound.

Those affected almost never have any complaints - until it's almost too late

Mostly those affected have no complaints. "That's why it's so important for all men to be screened," says Professor Beyersdorf.

Only when the aorta is about to rupture, the sufferers perceive pain, usually in the back. Then an immediate operation is necessary.

Four out of five patients are receiving minimal invasive care

Hundreds of patients are treated every year at the Freiburg clinic for the threat of aortic tear.

"The abdominal aorta can be openly treated surgically or minimally invasively. The type of surgery chosen always depends on the patient and his illness, "explains Professor Beyersdorf.

During the minimally invasive procedure, a wire mesh, a so-called stent graft, is advanced over the inguinal veins to the site of the recess under X-ray control, where it is expanded. One speaks also of endovascular procedure.

Around 80 percent of all patients with an aortic aneurysm undergo minimal invasive treatment at the University Heart Center. In acute and particularly complex cases, an open surgical procedure is performed.

After the procedure is before the aftercare: Aortenpass helps

"We are firmly convinced that aftercare is just as important as preoperative preparation and treatment," says Professor Beyersdorf.

Therefore, all patients treated at UHZ for an aortic aneurysm are examined regularly in the aortic outpatient department.

An aortic record of the patient includes information about the disease, what has happened, an individual sketch of the main artery, the date of the next check, and the most important contacts in the UHZ.

This ensures that the time bomb in the stomach does not threaten to tick again unnoticed. (Ad)