Q. At what size does an aortic aneurysm rupture?

Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.

Answered by Seconmedic Expert

An aortic aneurysm typically ruptures when it reaches a size of 5.5 cm or greater in diameter, although this may vary depending on the exact location and circumstances surrounding the aneurysm. The risk for rupture increases as the size of the aneurysm increases, with larger aneurysms being at significantly higher risk than smaller ones; therefore, regular imaging is essential for monitoring patients with existing aneurysms to catch any potential changes early.

Aortic aneurysms are typically classified according to their size and degree of expansion:
• Small (3 - 4 cm diameter): These may not require treatment unless they cause symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath.
• Moderate (4 - 5.5 cm diameter): Depending on factors such as location and rate of growth, these may warrant surgical repair due to increased likelihood of rupture if left unaddressed.
• Large (greater than 5.5 cm diameter): These pose significant danger due to high chances of rupture, and immediate repair is recommended in order to avoid potentially life-threatening complications such as internal bleeding or heart failure due to back pressure on cardiac output from blood loss in other parts of the body.

In summary, while there is no single point at which all aortic aneurysms will rupture without fail - generally speaking once a sac reaches a size greater than 5.5 cm then it increases its chance for spontaneous rupturing substantially and thus requires medical attention immediately before irreparable damage can occur .

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