Even If It's NOT Broke, Fix It!

Mr. M. wanted to tell his story on abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) because his experience scared him so and he hopes others can learn from his story. He came to my office at age 67 for a routine physical examination. The abdominal examination showed what appeared to be a fairly large aneurysm (6-7 cm). "The way they can tell is that they push on 2 sides of your belly and bring their fingers together on each side of the big artery in the belly" says Mr. M. "I was told to go to the hospital that day for an ultrasound or sonogram of the abdomen. I did not want to go, but was finally convinced it was important." After the sonogram showed a 7 cm aneurysm, Mr. M. was told he needed to see a specialist, and might need a graft or a stent-graft inserted into his aorta to prevent the aneurysm from rupturing. He was also told to tell his siblings to be screened. He declined, "I don't talk to my brothers much and since this does not hurt, I can't see where I need it fixed." He stated, "I went home and forgot about it."

We continued to check on Mr. M. every few weeks, but he still did not want treatment. Suddenly, about three months after he was diagnosed and about a week after we last checked on him, he phoned. "My older brother just died when his aneurysm burst. Can they still fix me?"

Within a week he had an endovascular repair (see article on AAA) and was home in 3 days. Today, four years later, he keeps busy with his many retirement activities. When he was called for this interview, he very simply stated, "I thought if it did not hurt it could not be bad. Was I wrong! Now all of my brothers (he has no sisters) have been screened and the youngest brother is being followed very closely by his physician for a small aneurysm. I hope everyone who is at risk will tell their health care provider, and be screened."

About the Author: Janice D. Nunnelee, PhD, RN, CVN, ANP, is the new associate medical editor of "Keeping in Circulation." She is a certified vascular nurse and an adult nurse practitioner.