Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Treatment in Prattville, AL

Expert AAA Diagnosis and Treatment in Central Alabama

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Life-Saving Treatment for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a serious condition that requires immediate attention from experienced vascular specialists. At Advanced Vascular and Wound Care in Prattville, Alabama, our board-certified vascular surgeons provide comprehensive diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysms using both minimally invasive and traditional surgical approaches.



Don't let an undetected aneurysm put your life at risk. Early detection and expert treatment can prevent life-threatening rupture and help you return to normal activities with confidence.

Understanding Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

An abdominal aortic aneurysm occurs when the wall of the aorta – your body's largest blood vessel – weakens and bulges outward in the abdominal area. The aorta normally measures about 2 centimeters in diameter, but when an aneurysm develops, it can expand to 3 centimeters or larger, creating a dangerous balloon-like bulge.


The primary danger of an AAA is rupture, which causes massive internal bleeding and is often fatal. Studies show that ruptured AAAs have a mortality rate of 80-90%, making early detection and preventive treatment critical for survival.


Risk Factors for AAA


High-risk factors include age over 65 (especially men), smoking history, family history of aortic aneurysms, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and male gender. Men are 4-6 times more likely to develop AAA than women. Additional risk factors include high cholesterol, COPD, peripheral arterial disease, and connective tissue disorders.


Symptoms and Warning Signs


Most abdominal aortic aneurysms are "silent," producing no symptoms until they become large or rupture. However, some patients may experience deep, constant abdominal or back pain, a pulsating feeling in the abdomen, nausea, dizziness, or rapid heart rate.

Emergency symptoms requiring immediate 911 call include sudden, severe abdominal or back pain, loss of consciousness, shock symptoms, and severe nausea with pain.

Advanced Diagnostic Services

Our state-of-the-art diagnostic services in Prattville include ultrasound screening for quick, non-invasive detection, CT angiography for detailed measurements and surgical planning, and MR angiography for patients requiring contrast-free imaging.


Screening is recommended for men aged 65-75 who have ever smoked, anyone over 60 with family history of AAA, patients with multiple risk factors, and those with peripheral arterial disease.

Treatment Options

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Minimally Invasive Endovascular Aneurysm Repair

EVAR is the gold standard for AAA treatment, using small groin incisions to insert a stent graft that seals off the aneurysm. The procedure involves guiding the stent through groin arteries to the aneurysm site, where it’s deployed to redirect blood flow. Benefits include a shorter hospital stay (1–2 days), faster recovery, lower complication risk, and minimal scarring.

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Open Surgical Repair

For complex cases or when EVAR isn’t suitable, open surgical repair provides excellent long-term results. This approach involves accessing the aneurysm through an abdominal incision and replacing it with a synthetic graft. Though recovery takes longer (6–8 weeks), the surgery offers a durable, permanent solution without the need for ongoing surveillance.

Treatment Decision Factors: Treatment is typically recommended for AAAs larger than 5.5 cm in men or 5.0 cm in women, aneurysms growing more than 0.5 cm per year, symptomatic aneurysms, or ruptured aneurysms. Smaller aneurysms are monitored with regular ultrasounds based on size and growth rate.

Why Choose Advanced Vascular & Wound Care?

Dr. Justin Parden is board-certified in Vascular and General Surgery and Fellow of the Society of Vascular Surgery, with extensive experience treating hundreds of AAAs. Our Prattville facility features advanced diagnostic and treatment technology, and our multidisciplinary team provides personalized care with excellent outcomes and high patient satisfaction.

Recovery and Prevention

EVAR patients typically go home within 1-2 days with activity return in 1-2 weeks, requiring regular follow-up imaging. Open repair patients stay 5-7 days with 6-8 week recovery but minimal long-term follow-up needed.


Prevention includes smoking cessation, blood pressure control, cholesterol management, regular exercise, and a healthy diet. We provide resources and support for lifestyle modifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How dangerous is an abdominal aortic aneurysm?

    AAAs are very serious. Small aneurysms can be safely monitored, but larger ones (over 5.0-5.5 cm) have significant rupture risk. Ruptured AAAs are fatal 80-90% of the time, which is why preventive treatment is so important.

  • What size aneurysm requires surgery?

    Generally, AAAs larger than 5.5 cm in men or 5.0 cm in women require treatment. Smaller aneurysms growing rapidly (more than 0.5 cm per year) or causing symptoms also need intervention, regardless of size.

  • Is EVAR better than open surgery?

    EVAR is less invasive with faster recovery, but suitability depends on aneurysm anatomy and patient factors. Some complex aneurysms require open repair. Our surgeons will recommend the best approach for your specific situation.

  • How long does AAA surgery take?

    EVAR procedures typically take 2-3 hours, while open repairs take 3-4 hours. Times vary based on complexity and individual anatomy.

  • What is recovery like after AAA repair?

    EVAR patients usually go home in 1-2 days and return to normal activities within 1-2 weeks. Open repair requires 5-7 days of hospitalization with a 6-8 week recovery period. Most patients return to full activity levels.

  • Will I need a follow-up after AAA repair?

    EVAR patients need regular CT scans (typically yearly) to monitor the stent graft. Open repair patients require minimal follow-up after initial recovery since it's a permanent repair.

  • Can aneurysms come back after treatment?

    Recurrence at the repair site is very rare. However, patients remain at risk for developing new aneurysms in other locations, so ongoing vascular health monitoring is important.

  • Should my family be screened if I have an AAA?

    Yes, family members (especially male relatives over 60) should discuss screening with their doctors, as AAA has a genetic component, and family history significantly increases risk.

  • Can I prevent an aneurysm from getting larger?

    While you can't reverse an existing aneurysm, smoking cessation, blood pressure control, and cholesterol management can slow growth and reduce rupture risk.

  • What happens if I choose not to treat my aneurysm?

    Untreated large aneurysms will continue growing and eventually rupture, which is usually fatal. Small aneurysms can be safely monitored, but treatment becomes necessary as they enlarge.

Schedule Your Consultation Today

Don't wait to address AAA concerns. Early detection and expert treatment save lives and help maintain active lifestyles. Call Advanced Vascular and Wound Care at (334) 659-4717 to schedule your consultation with Central Alabama's leading vascular specialists.

Call (334) 659-4717