Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Causes

Signs/Symptoms

Care

Risks

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

Call Your Doctor If...

• Your blood pressure is unusually high or low.

Seek Care Immediately If...

• You have sudden, bad pain in your lower back or abdomen.
• You faint or feel dizzy.
• You have chest pain, trouble breathing, feel sick to your stomach, or begin vomiting.
• You have blood in your bowel movements.

IF YOU'RE HEADING FOR THE HOSPITAL...

What to Expect While You're There

• Taking Vital Signs: These include your temperature, blood pressure, pulse (counting your heartbeats), and respirations (counting your breaths). A stethoscope is used to listen to your heart and lungs. Your blood pressure is taken by wrapping a cuff around your arm.
• Pulse Oximeter: With a little clip connected to your ear, finger, or toe, this machine measures the oxygen in your blood.
• Heart Monitor: (Also called an electrocardiogram [e-LEK-tro-KAR-di-o-gram] or EKG). Typically, three to five sticky pads are placed on different parts of your body. Each pad has a wire that is hooked to a TV-type screen or to a small portable box (telemetry unit) that shows a tracing of each heartbeat. Your heartbeat will be carefully monitored throughout the operation.
• 12 Lead ECG: This is a more detailed type of heart monitor. Readings are usually taken for 5 to 10 minutes at a time. They can help to detect any problems in the heart.
• Blood Gases: This test measures the amount of oxygen, acids, and carbon dioxide in the blood---measurements that are especially important if you're having any trouble breathing. The blood sample for the test is taken from an artery in the wrist, elbow, or groin.
• Other Blood Tests: The doctor may also need measurements in blood drawn from a vein. The sample will be taken from a vein in the hand or the bend in the elbow.
• IV: A tube placed in your vein for giving medicine or liquids. The IV will be capped or have tubing connected to it.
• Oxygen: At times during your stay, your body may need extra oxygen. It is given either through a plastic mask over your mouth and nose or through nasal prongs. If the oxygen dries out your nose or the nasal prongs bother you, tell your nurse, but don't take off the oxygen on your own.
• Abdominal X-rays: These pictures of the organs inside your abdomen will help the doctor locate the aneurysm and judge its severity.
• Abdominal Ultrasound: This painless test also helps the doctor spot the aneurysm. Sound waves bounced off the abdominal organs are converted to pictures seen on a TV-like screen.
• CT Scan: This test, also called a "CAT" scan, uses a special type of x-ray machine. Before the test, you may be given dye through your IV to make the internal organs show up better in the pictures. People who are allergic to shellfish may be allergic to this dye. If you have this allergy, be sure to warn the doctor.
• Aortogram: This test may also be called aortography (a-or-TAH-gruh-fee). X-rays are used to take pictures of the aorta and other arteries around it. The same type of dye used for a CAT Scan is used in this test. If you're allergic to shellfish, make sure the doctor knows about it.
• Medicines:
• Blood Pressure Medicine: This medicine may be given to lower your blood pressure. If it's very high, or you're vomiting a lot, the drug may first be given in your IV. Later, you can take it by mouth.
• Pain Medicine: To ease the pain, your doctor may prescribe medicine to be given in your IV, as a shot, or by mouth. Tell the doctor or your nurses if the pain won't go away or keeps coming back.
• CVP Line: A CVP line, also called a central line, is an IV tube inserted in a large blood vessel near your collarbone, in your neck, or in your groin. To make insertion easier, the head of your bed may be lowered to help the blood vessel fill up and expand. The skin at the insertion site will be numbed to reduce any pain. Once in place, the line can be used to give medicines and measure the activity of your heart.
• Swan-Ganz: This is another type of IV tube that may be inserted in a vein near your collarbone or in your neck. The tube is then guided through the inside of your heart and into your lungs. One part of this tube is hooked to a monitor that measures pressure within the heart and lungs. Another part may be used to give medicine.
• Cardiac Outputs: These tests measure your heart's pumping ability. A special liquid is pushed into your Swan-Ganz line very quickly. The line then measures how long it takes the liquid to move through your heart.
• Arterial Line: This tube, also called an "art line" or an "A-line," is inserted into an artery, usually in the wrist or groin. The line is attached to liquid-filled tubing to keep it from clogging up. It can be used to measure your blood pressure or to draw blood for tests.

After You Leave

• If the aneurysm isn't likely to cause problems, your doctor will set up an appointment for another check later on. He or she will need to continue watching the aneurysm, since it may cause problems in the future.
• Follow your doctor's instructions for controlling your blood pressure; and ask your doctor to teach you or a family member how to take your pressure. High blood pressure can make the aneurysm worse.
• Stress can raise your blood pressure. Since it is hard to avoid stress, learn to control it with such techniques as deep breathing, muscle relaxation, meditation, and biofeedback. It helps, too, to "ventilate" to someone about things that upset you.
• Exercising makes the heart stronger, lowers blood pressure, and keeps you healthy. Ask your doctor to help you plan an exercise program. Start exercising when your doctor says it's OK. It is best to start slowly and do more as you get stronger.
• If you smoke, now is the time to quit. It not only increases your chances of having a heart attack, lung disease, or cancer, but can also further weaken your arteries. If you are having trouble quitting, ask your doctor for help.
• Excess weight makes the heart work harder and can cause many other health problems. If you're overweight, talk to your doctor about a weight-loss plan.
• Always take your medicine exactly as directed. If it doesn't seem to help, let the doctor know, but keep taking it until told otherwise. If you've been prescribed antibiotics, be sure to use them up, even if you're feeling better. If a medicine makes you drowsy, avoid driving or using dangerous machinery.