With an MD from Virginia Commonwealth University, Dr. Robert Crawford has more than 20 years of experience in medicine and vascular surgery. At the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Dr. Robert Crawford has worked as an assistant professor. One of his key contributions at the university is on the subject of juxtarenal aortic aneurysm.
An aneurysm is a balloon-like bulging in the walls of a weak blood vessel. The vessel may rupture if the bulging pushes the vessel wall too far. The aorta is the artery that transports blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
When an aneurysm occurs in the aorta, it is called an aortic aneurysm. If an aneurysm causes this artery to rupture, it may become fatal if not treated quickly. Although an aortic aneurysm may occur in the chest (thoracic aneurysm), most of them occur below the kidneys in the lower stomach region (abdominal aneurysms).
Many disorders weaken the artery walls and may cause an aneurysm. High blood pressure, smoking, and atherosclerosis all increase the risk. Blood vessels may also swell due to deep wounds, traumas, or infections.
An aneurysm may be a congenital condition, which means the patient may be born with it. Aneurysms are also more likely to occur in those who have certain hereditary disorders. Marfan syndrome, for example, is a genetic condition that damages the body's connective tissue and causes patients to have long bones and unusually flexible joints. Aneurysms are common in people with this condition.
An aneurysm is a balloon-like bulging in the walls of a weak blood vessel. The vessel may rupture if the bulging pushes the vessel wall too far. The aorta is the artery that transports blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
When an aneurysm occurs in the aorta, it is called an aortic aneurysm. If an aneurysm causes this artery to rupture, it may become fatal if not treated quickly. Although an aortic aneurysm may occur in the chest (thoracic aneurysm), most of them occur below the kidneys in the lower stomach region (abdominal aneurysms).
Many disorders weaken the artery walls and may cause an aneurysm. High blood pressure, smoking, and atherosclerosis all increase the risk. Blood vessels may also swell due to deep wounds, traumas, or infections.
An aneurysm may be a congenital condition, which means the patient may be born with it. Aneurysms are also more likely to occur in those who have certain hereditary disorders. Marfan syndrome, for example, is a genetic condition that damages the body's connective tissue and causes patients to have long bones and unusually flexible joints. Aneurysms are common in people with this condition.
