How Can A Five Centimeter Aneurysm Be Treated Without Surgery?

Posted on Tue, 10 Apr 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 10 Apr 2018 Answered on

Mon, 3 Jul 2023 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello again, Dr. Zografakis. My father went for his tests today, and the doctor did not find anything terribly significant for his strange condition. However she is sending him for tests to a cardiologist. She did find that he has a 5 centimeter aneurysm. Apparently at his age there is no likelihood of surgery, and even if he were much younger apparently surgeons wouldn't want to operate if it is 5 centimeters. We will know more after his cardiologists finishes the tests. In the meantime he remains very tired, but there has been improvement in the swelling and the nausea. Finally, I am now curious as to the chances of me, now age 62, developing such an aneurysm. I have been checked in general and nothing was found. No one else in our family is known to have one, but is it something that will usually develop if anyone is lucky enough to make it to his 90s? Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Shinas Hussain (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Conservative management is required now.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Abdominal aortic aneurysm(AA) managed conservatively in most of the cases. Surgery is performed rarely because of potential complications.

Since the size of the aneurysm is five centimetre, we can go for a watch and wait policy. An intervention is often recommended if the aneurysm grows more than 1 cm per year or it is bigger than 5.5 cm. Since the age is ok a higher side surgery carries high risk of catastrophic complications.

As of now avoid strenuous activities. Avoid strains and forceful coughing. Do not press the abdomen.

Check your blood pressure and get it controlled in case of high blood pressure. With these measures and conservative management is people can lead a normal life. Keep in mind that there is a chance of sudden rupture at any time.

Hope I have answered you queries. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Dr. Shinas Hussain, General & Family Physician

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Shinas Hussain (8 minutes later)

Thank you. But regarding my concern if the likelihood that I could inherit this condition? For the other concerns about my father we can wait until he gets his next results.

Answered by Dr. Shinas Hussain (15 hours later)

Brief Answer:

No, It’s not a genetic disorder.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

It's is not an inherited disease. So it won’t run in families.
So odds for you is almost similar to any other person in general population.

Hope I have answered your query.

Take care

Regards,
Dr. Shinas Hussain, General & Family Physician

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee