Bilateral Iliac Artery Aneurysms

Hello Everyone. I generally post on the Crohn's and Pain Forums, but I am looking for info on Iliac Artery Aneurysms and hoping that perhaps someone here can direct me to more info on the subject. I've already done the requisite internet searches and found lots of info, but most of it is written in "medicalese" and will be too complicated for Dad to follow. I've also found almost nothing regarding bilateral aneurysms, so I'd imagine this situation is especially rare. We expectt hat Dad will have 3 inches of his aorta and both iliac arteries replaced with tubing sometime after the 21st, when the Cardiologist is expected to clear him for surgery. We all know this is a complicated procedure and that he'll be in ICU for about a week with an extended recovery period, but any info that you might be able to provide would be greatly appreciated.

Keah,
I don't think I can be much of a help except to tell you I hope for the best for your dad. The iliac artery is the first branch off the abdominal aorta, which is the main blood vessel bringing oxygenated blood from your heart into the legs; it the groin region it divides into the iliac arteries, and then several more branches. Aneurysms of any type are very serious, but the good news is that he is not having an emergency surgery due to rupture of these arteries. A lot of the time these aneurysms will result in rupture, and it's a more poor prognosis.

Please keep us updated, and I will be keeping your dad in my thoughts. Hang in there, chica.

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Co-moderator - IBS Forum

Please always remember to consult your medical professional regarding your medical questions; this forum is intended to provide patient-to-patient support. Although some of us have healthcare backgrounds, we cannot diagnose or treat patients on the board.

Thanks for the good thoughts and the info you could give me. I hope that all is going well for you.

I've got the anatomy down pat and know that the mortality rate for a ruptured iliac aneurysm is up around 80%, so I'm very grateful that the poor pulses in his leg led to the angio which found them. We expected that he'd have a stent put into his calf but instead he's facing life threatening surgery.

I know most of the risks as well, from nerve damage, to clots, pulmonary embolisms and strokes. What has me concerned is the kidney pain that's been ignored. With a history of stones, both he and his GP decided to wait it out and see what happened. It never occurred to Dad to discuss this with the surgeon and I know the aneurysm could be causing hydronephrosis. I don't know how this would/could complicate the surgery.

Most of the info I've found about these aneurysms consists of short case studies which describe the presenting symptoms, mention the type of procedure and the outcome, but these are far short on the details of the actual surgery. I've been told that both iliac arteries and 3-4 inches of the aorta will be removed and replaced with tubing. How? is what I'm really after. Sigh.

The other thing that really interests me is that all of the case studies I've read describe an aneurysm on one side or the other. I've seen nothing about bilateral aneurysms. That's Dad for ya', just gotta be different!

Once he heals from this surgery, we'll have to figure out how they're going to get around the 6 inch occlusion in his popliteal artery! Just one great barrel of fun.

I guess it's back to poring through search engine results. Be well everyone!

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