An abdominal aortic aneurysm is an enlargement of a weak area of the main blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart. This large artery, known as the aorta, runs from the heart through the chest and abdomen, branching off into important organs before dividing into arteries that go through each leg. While the normal diameter of the aorta is about an inch or less, an aneurysm can grow to be more than five inches in diameter. Although aneurysms can occur in any part of the aorta, approximately 75 percent are found in the abdomen, and 50 percent may involve the junction of one of the iliac arteries, which extend from the aorta into each leg.

Over time, the pressure of blood flowing through the artery can cause the weakened area to enlarge and bulge out like a balloon.

Aneurysms are a potentially serious health condition because they can burst or rupture. Larger aneurysms are more likely to rupture than smaller ones, resulting in internal bleeding that is fatal unless treated very quickly by an experienced emergency medical team. Even under the best circumstances, only about half of patients with a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm who get to a hospital survive. For this reason, planned treatment to prevent rupture is crucial.

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