What is an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm?

An infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a ballooning or bulging of the aorta, the main artery that carries blood from the heart to the abdomen and legs. It occurs in the portion of the aorta below the renal arteries, which supply blood to the kidneys.

Infrarenal AAA is the most common type of aortic aneurysm. It usually affects older adults, especially those with risk factors such as high blood pressure, smoking, and a family history of aneurysms.

An infrarenal AAA can cause various symptoms, including:

- Back pain

- Abdominal pain

- Groin pain

- Leg pain

- Nausea and vomiting

- Difficulty urinating

In some cases, an infrarenal AAA can rupture, leading to life-threatening internal bleeding.

Treatment options for an infrarenal AAA depend on the size and location of the aneurysm. Small aneurysms may be monitored closely without immediate treatment. Larger aneurysms or those causing symptoms may require surgical repair or endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), a less invasive procedure that uses a stent graft to reinforce the weakened aorta.