Aneurysms (Aortic and Peripheral)
An aneurysm is a ballooning or dilation of a blood vessel to more than 150% of its normal size, which is generally caused by damage to the lining of the blood vessel wall. The most common artery to develop an aneurysm is the aorta, followed by the iliac artery, femoral artery, and popliteal artery. Less commonly, aneurysms can develop in the carotid, subclavian, renal, and mesenteric arteries. If left untreated, aneurysms can rupture or burst, which can cause serious bleeding and the potential for a life threatening situation, while some aneurysms may also create blood clots or lead to a stroke.
At Tenet Florida Cardiovascular Care, we treat all forms of aneurysms; however, the remainder of this section will focus on aortic aneurysms.