Pune, Sep 1 : A 72-year-old auto-rickshaw driver from Pune was recently treated for an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) at Surya Sahyadri Hospital, Pune. AAA is a condition in which a section of the body’s largest blood vessel weakens and gradually enlarges. If left untreated, the enlarged blood vessel can rupture, leading to severe internal bleeding that can be life-threatening. Considering his age and multiple health conditions, doctors opted for a minimally invasive procedure that helped him recover well.
Further tests showed that the aneurysm had already grown to around 5 to 6 Cm, making timely treatment essential. However, considering the patient’s advanced age and underlying conditions, including diabetes, hypertension and kidney disease, conventional open surgery carried a higher risk of complications. After careful evaluation, the doctors opted for Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR), a procedure that reinforces the weakened section of the artery from within using a covered stent graft. As EVAR is performed through a small puncture rather than a large abdominal incision, it reduces surgical trauma, blood loss and recovery time, making it a preferred treatment option for many elderly and high-risk patients when clinically appropriate.
Speaking about the case, Dr. Kaurabhi Zade, Consultant Interventional Radiologist and Vascular Specialist, Surya Sahyadri Hospital, Pune Said,
“Instead of making a large incision in the abdomen, we inserted a covered stent graft through a small puncture in the groin and guided it to the affected area using imaging technology. Abdominal aortic aneurysm is often referred to as a “silent” condition because many patients do not experience symptoms until the swelling becomes dangerously large or ruptures.”
“Many people are unaware that this condition can develop silently over several years. In some cases, patients may complain of persistent pain in the abdomen or back, while others may have no symptoms at all. Once an aneurysm reaches a certain size, the risk of rupture increases significantly, making timely treatment extremely important. Today, minimally invasive procedures such as EVAR allow us to treat many elderly and high-risk patients safely, with smaller incisions, faster recovery and a shorter hospital stay. Since many patients have no symptoms until the aneurysm grows big or bursts, abdominal aortic aneurysms can often be detected incidentally during imaging performed for another medical condition. Because timely intervention can avert a life-threatening emergency, early diagnosis is essential.” Said Dr Zade.
The procedure lasted around four to five hours under spinal anaesthesia. The patient recovered well, was mobilised early after the procedure and was discharged in stable condition.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm is more common among adults above the age of 65, particularly those with a history of smoking, uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes or other cardiovascular diseases. While many aneurysms do not cause symptoms, persistent abdominal, back or flank pain should not be ignored. Timely medical intervention and appropriate imaging can help detect the condition before it becomes life-threatening. According to the American College of Radiology, abdominal aortic aneurysm is found in approximately 4% to 8% of screened adults. If an aneurysm ruptures, mortality ranges between 75% and 90%, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.