These "widenings" tend to develop, commonly, within the tunica media of the arterial wall. This degeneration of the media hinders smooth muscle cell function causing widening of vessel lumen and loss of structural integrity.
This aneurysm commonplace occurs just beneath the level of the renal arteries and over the bifurcation of the common iliac arteries.
Rupture of the vessel wall may occur causing intense hemorrhaging into the stomach. Over 80% of people that have a ruptured abdominal aneurysm will expire. It's vitally important for those at risk to get frequent and watchful observation, especially as they age.
There are numerous symptoms that may present with this condition but it's not unusual for a man to present without any symptoms at all. Abdominal Aortic Atherosclerosis predominately in men over 60 who have a history of tobacco-smoking. They're credited with atherosclerosis and also the vast majority present as asymptomatic. Currently, ultrasound screening seems to be the best preventative diagnostic measure.
A study performed in the UK concluded that those that are more than 60 years, and male, asymptomatic of age have less mortality from abdominal aneurysm complications and are more prone to seek treatment if they have received ultrasound screening prior to rupture. Currently, other diagnostic screenings do exist including but not limited to MRI and CT scan but are less often used.
