The phrase “abdominal aorta is nonaneurysmal” is a specific finding often seen in ultrasound or CT scan reports, and it is a positive indication of health. This statement means the body’s largest abdominal blood vessel is in a normal, healthy state. Understanding this result requires a basic knowledge of the vessel’s function and the specific pathology it avoids. The finding confirms that the vessel is not suffering from the abnormal dilation that can lead to significant health complications.
The Role of the Abdominal Aorta
The aorta is the largest artery in the human body, serving as the main highway for oxygenated blood leaving the heart. This massive vessel descends through the chest into the abdomen, where it becomes the abdominal aorta. Its fundamental role is to distribute blood to the lower half of the body, including the digestive organs, kidneys, and lower extremities.
This section of the artery, typically located deep within the abdominal cavity, must withstand the constant, high-pressure flow of blood pumped by the heart. The abdominal aorta is usually a consistent size, with a normal diameter measuring about 2.0 centimeters in a healthy adult. This powerful structure is designed to be strong and flexible to manage the continuous force exerted on its walls.
Understanding Nonaneurysmal: What It Means
A finding that the abdominal aorta is “nonaneurysmal” means the vessel has been measured and falls within its normal, expected diameter. This result directly contrasts with an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), which is an abnormal localized ballooning or swelling of the artery. Aneurysms are caused by a progressive weakening of the arterial wall, which then expands outward due to blood pressure.
The diagnosis of an abdominal aortic aneurysm is defined when the vessel diameter is measured at 3.0 centimeters or larger, or when the diameter is more than 50% greater than its normal size. Therefore, a “nonaneurysmal” finding confirms that the artery’s diameter is less than 3.0 centimeters, showing no signs of pathological swelling. This indicates the vessel wall is intact and healthy, functioning as expected without the risk of rupture associated with an enlarged wall.
Factors That Increase Aneurysm Risk
While a nonaneurysmal finding is a positive assessment, it is useful to understand the factors that can contribute to the weakening of the aortic wall over time. The most significant modifiable risk factor for developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm is a history of smoking, defined as having smoked at least 100 cigarettes in a lifetime. Smoking damages the arterial wall, causing it to deteriorate and accelerate the growth of any existing dilation.
Other predictors include advanced age, particularly over 65 years, and being biologically male, as men develop AAAs at a rate up to four times greater than women. Genetics also play a role, with a first-degree family history of AAA—a parent or sibling—substantially increasing an individual’s risk. Conditions that strain the cardiovascular system, such as high blood pressure (hypertension) and high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), also contribute to the degradation and weakening of the aortic tissue.
When is Aortic Screening Recommended
The purpose of screening is to detect an abdominal aortic aneurysm early, before it grows large enough to cause symptoms or rupture. For individuals who have received a nonaneurysmal result, routine follow-up screening is unnecessary unless new symptoms develop or they enter a higher-risk category.
Medical guidelines recommend a single-time ultrasound screening for men between the ages of 65 and 75 who have any history of smoking. For men in this age bracket who have never smoked, screening is not routinely recommended but may be offered based on other risk factors, such as a strong family history. Screening is generally not supported for women who have never smoked because the prevalence of AAA is lower in this group. However, screening may be considered for women aged 65 to 75 who have a smoking history or a first-degree relative with an AAA.