What are the basic signs and symptoms of an aneurysm that a patient might look out for?
Dr. Ascher:Unfortunately, the symptoms are rare. When the symptoms begin, occasionally it may be too late, because it is a sign of rupture. The patient may faint, has abdominal pain, severe back pain, and that may mean that the aneurysm has ruptured or is ready to rupture, and the patient should immediately go to the emergency room. If the patient, however, has a history of aneurysms in the family, then the chance of this person having an aneurysm is significantly high, about 15 to 20 percent. So he should have [a screening of the aorta] to be sure he does not have an aneurysm. Not all aneurysms need to be fixed. Some aneurysms are small and they can safely be watched. Some aneurysms are large enough that they should be fixed. There are different ways to fix those aneurysms. One way is a minimally invasive procedure that we perform – two small incisions in the groin, and with the combination of stenting and grafts, we are able to fix these aneurysms without a big operation. Yet, a big
