Understanding Visceral Artery Aneurysms: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention
The cardiac and vascular specialists at Tampa General Hospital’s Heart & Vascular Institute diagnose and treat visceral artery aneurysms, a rare and potentially life-threatening condition. This type of aneurysm occurs when excessive pressure within an artery causes a weakened area of arterial wall to bulge outward. As the name suggests, visceral artery aneurysms develop in the visceral arteries. These vessels branch off the aorta, the largest artery in the body, responsible for carrying oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the circulatory system.
Because visceral artery aneurysms are at risk for rupturing, they require prompt medical attention. At Tampa General Hospital, we have extensive experience treating this type of aneurysm, and we provide personalized care recommendations tailored to your specific needs.
What Are the Types of Visceral Artery Aneurysms?
Visceral artery aneurysms can occur in any of the visceral arteries, which branch off the aorta and transport blood to the various organs within your abdomen, including the:
- Intestines
- Kidneys
- Liver
- Pancreas
- Spleen
- Stomach
Although visceral artery aneurysms can develop in any of these blood vessels, they most commonly affect the arteries carrying blood to the spleen, liver and kidneys.
Visceral artery aneurysms can be classified into two main types:
- True aneurysms – A visceral artery aneurysm will be categorized as a true aneurysm if it occurs because a weakened section of a visceral artery wall has expanded.
- Pseudoaneurysms – A visceral artery aneurysm will be categorized as a pseudoaneurysm (or fake aneurysm) if it occurs because blood has pooled and formed a clot outside a hole in a visceral artery wall. Because blood clots aren’t as stable as artery walls, pseudoaneurysms are at an especially high risk of rupturing.
What Are the Causes & Risk Factors of Visceral Artery Aneurysms?
The causes of visceral artery aneurysms vary depending on whether a true aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm is present.
Common Causes of True Visceral Artery Aneurysms
True visceral artery aneurysms are often caused by:
- Atherosclerosis – a condition that occurs when plaque consisting of cholesterol, fat and other substances builds up on artery walls, causing the blood vessel to narrow
- Certain connective tissue diseases, including:
- Ehlers-Danlos syndrome – a group of inherited disorders that commonly cause joints to become overly flexible and skin to become fragile and stretchy
- Fibromuscular dysplasia – a blood vessel disorder that occurs when artery walls experience abnormal cell growth, causing the passageways to narrow
- Marfan syndrome – an inherited disorder that often causes people to be tall and thin with abnormally long arms, fingers, legs and toes
- Trauma from an injury
Common Causes of Visceral Artery Pseudoaneurysms
Pseudoaneurysms are generally caused by:
- Pancreatitis – a condition that occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed
- Vasculitis – a condition that occurs when the blood vessels become inflamed
- Trauma from an injury
- Injury sustained during liver or pancreatic surgery
Risk Factors for Visceral Artery Aneurysms
You may have a higher risk of developing a visceral artery aneurysm if you have any of the underlying conditions listed above or if you’ve sustained certain abdominal injuries. It’s important to note, however, that having one or more of these risk factors does not mean that you’ll necessarily experience a visceral artery aneurysm—it simply means that you have a greater chance of developing one.
Notably, your sex may also place you at a higher risk of developing certain types of visceral artery aneurysms. For example, women are more likely than men to develop aneurysms in the splenic artery, which carries blood to the spleen.
What Are the Symptoms & Warning Signs of Visceral Artery Aneurysms?
Visceral artery aneurysms typically don’t produce any symptoms unless they rupture. As such, many people with visceral artery aneurysms are unaware of the issue until they undergo imaging tests for unrelated conditions.
Visceral artery aneurysms are generally considered to be rare. However, because many cases are asymptomatic and go undiagnosed, their true prevalence is uncertain.
Common Symptoms of a Ruptured Visceral Artery Aneurysm
If you have a visceral artery aneurysm that ruptures, depending on the exact location of the aneurysm, you may experience the following symptoms:
- Anemia, which may cause an irregular heartbeat, chest pain, shortness of breath, pale or yellowed skin, cold hands and feet, headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, fatigue and weakness
- Mild to severe pain in your abdomen or back
- Vomiting blood
- Bloody stools
A ruptured visceral artery aneurysm requires emergency treatment, so if you think you may be experiencing one, be sure to call 911 or get to a nearby hospital as soon as possible.
Diagnosis & Tests for Visceral Artery Aneurysms
Because visceral artery aneurysms typically don’t produce any symptoms unless they rupture, they’re often diagnosed after imaging for an unrelated condition uncovers an issue. If your physician suspects that you might have a visceral artery aneurysm, they may order one or more of the following tests to confirm the diagnosis:
Not only do these tests help confirm the presence of an aneurysm, but they also allow your doctor to measure the size of the aneurysm. Knowing a visceral artery aneurysm’s size is important when determining how to proceed with treatment.
How Do You Treat Visceral Artery Aneurysms?
The recommended course of treatment for a visceral artery aneurysm will depend on numerous factors that affect how likely it is to rupture, including:
- The type of the aneurysm – Because visceral artery pseudoaneurysms have a greater chance of rupturing than true visceral artery aneurysms, they typically require treatment regardless of their size.
- The size of the aneurysm – If you have a true visceral artery aneurysm that’s less than 2 centimeters, your physician may recommend the “watch and wait” approach to determine if it’s growing. If it’s more than 2 centimeters, your doctor may recommend actively treating it.
- The location of the aneurysm – Aneurysms are more likely to rupture if they’re located in certain arteries. Your medical provider may recommend treatment if you have an aneurysm in your:
- Splenic artery, which carries blood to the spleen, pancreas and stomach
- Gastroduodenal artery, which carries blood to your pancreas, a portion of the small intestine and stomach
- Pancreaticoduodenal artery, which carries blood to your pancreas and small intestine
- Superior mesenteric artery, which carries blood to your pancreas, parts of the small intestine and large intestine
- The presence of symptoms – Certain chronic visceral artery aneurysm symptoms may indicate the need for treatment, including anemia and pain in your abdomen or back.
- Whether you have cirrhosis – If you’ve been told that you need to undergo a liver transplant or another procedure to treat cirrhosis, your doctor may recommend that you also receive treatment for your visceral artery aneurysm.
- Whether you’re pregnant – If you’re a woman and you’re pregnant or of childbearing age, your physician may recommend that you undergo treatment, since you’re at a greater risk of having your visceral artery aneurysm (particularly one in the splenic artery) rupture.
If a medical provider determines that your visceral artery aneurysm requires treatment, they may recommend that you take certain medications. For example, blood pressure medication is often prescribed to help prevent visceral artery aneurysms from growing. That said, the main course of treatment for a visceral artery aneurysm is surgery, which can be performed using either an open procedure or a minimally invasive endovascular procedure. The decision of whether to use open or minimally invasive surgery will depend on factors such as the location of the aneurysm, the shape and size of the affected blood vessels and the patient’s age and overall health.
Open Surgery for a Visceral Artery Aneurysm
During open surgery for a visceral artery aneurysm, the surgeon creates a relatively large incision, removes the damaged portion of the affected artery and either repairs or replaces that section. In some cases, bypassing the aneurysm using a graft to restore proper blood flow is recommended.
Minimally Invasive Endovascular Surgery for a Visceral Artery Aneurysm
During minimally invasive endovascular surgery for a visceral artery aneurysm, the surgeon places a catheter into an artery (typically in the patient’s groin), then inserts miniature instruments through that catheter and uses them to provide support for the affected artery and prevent the aneurysm from rupturing. For example, the surgeon may pack the aneurysm with a wire coil or mechanical plug, inject the aneurysm with a liquid plugging agent or insert a tube (stent) into the affected artery.
What Are the Complications & Long-Term Effects of Visceral Artery Aneurysms?
The primary complication of a visceral artery aneurysm is the risk of rupturing. If a visceral artery wall expands too much, it can burst, causing blood to spill into the body. If this happens, you may experience:
- Anemia, which can produce an irregular heartbeat, chest pain, shortness of breath, pale or yellowed skin, cold hands and feet, headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, fatigue and weakness
- Pain in your abdomen or back, ranging from mild to severe
- Bloody vomit
- Bloody stools
If you’re experiencing symptoms like these, call 911 or get to a nearby hospital as quickly as you can. Ruptured visceral artery aneurysms constitute a medical emergency and require immediate treatment.
How Do You Prevent & Reduce Your Risk of Visceral Artery Aneurysms?
While many visceral artery aneurysms are unavoidable, you can lower your risk of developing certain ones by taking steps to avoid the underlying conditions. For example, because atherosclerosis (which occurs when plaque made up of cholesterol, fat and other substances builds up on artery walls and causes blood vessels to narrow) can cause visceral artery aneurysms, you should take the following steps to reduce your risk:
- Monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
- Eat a heart-healthy diet.
- Exercise on a regular basis.
- Lower your stress levels.
- Get enough sleep each night.
- Limit your alcohol intake.
- Quit smoking (if applicable).
Living With Visceral Artery Aneurysms
If your physician determines that you have a visceral artery aneurysm, they may discuss lifestyle modifications that could reduce your risk of a potential rupture. For example, they may recommend that you avoid especially strenuous activities, manage your stress levels or quit smoking. It’s important to carefully follow your doctor’s instructions and attend any scheduled follow-up appointments.
Visceral Artery Aneurysm Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We’ve compiled answers to some of the questions we commonly receive regarding visceral artery aneurysms.
What Is the Most Common Visceral Artery Aneurysm?
The most common type of true visceral artery aneurysm is a splenic artery aneurysm. The splenic artery is responsible for carrying blood to your pancreas, spleen and stomach. While visceral artery aneurysms typically don’t cause any noticeable symptoms unless they rupture, a splenic artery aneurysm can sometimes produce pain or a pulsating sensation in your upper left abdomen.
What Foods Should You Eat & Avoid With a Visceral Artery Aneurysm?
Your doctor can provide you with diet recommendations that are customized to your specific needs. Generally speaking, you should try to consume a heart-healthy diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products and lean proteins. You should also avoid refined carbohydrates, fatty meats and oils, fried foods and sugary drinks.
The TGH Difference for Visceral Artery Aneurysms
Because visceral artery aneurysms can potentially rupture, it’s important to reach out to an experienced medical provider if you suspect you might have this condition and carefully follow any treatment recommendations you receive. The vascular experts at Tampa General Hospital’s esteemed Heart & Vascular Institute and Vascular Center of Excellence diagnose and treat visceral artery aneurysms for patients in Tampa, Florida, and the surrounding area. Our multidisciplinary team—which includes board-certified vascular and endovascular surgeons, cardiologists, heart failure specialists, electrophysiologists, radiologists, specialized vascular and cardiac care nurses and technologists—works together to provide highly individualized care for a number of cardiovascular conditions.
We also partner with the University of South Florida on advanced research and innovative clinical trials. Our commitment to providing our patients with world-class care has helped us earn designation from:
- U.S. News & World Report, as One of the Nation's Best Hospitals for Heart & Vascular Care and a High Performing Hospital for Heart Attack and Heart Failure Treatment for 2024-25
- Becker’s Hospital Review, as One of 100 Hospitals and Health Systems with Great Heart Programs
- Newsweek, as One of America’s Best Specialized Hospitals for Cardiac Care in 2024
Contact Tampa General Hospital’s Heart & Vascular Institute to learn more about how we treat visceral artery aneurysms or to schedule a consultation with one of the specialists on our team. You can call us at (813) 844-3900 or email us at heart-vascular@tgh.org.