Fluoroquinolone antibiotics like Levaquin have been linked in recent studies to an increased risk of aortic injuries. Patients who take Levaquin for even a simple bacterial infection could end up needing treatment for aortic aneurysm.

An aortic aneurysm is an abnormal enlargement in the aorta, the main artery that carries blood from the heart to the body. Treatment for aortic aneurysm varies among patients, but is typically determined by how big the injury is. If the aneurysm is less than five centimeters, the doctor may prescribe drug treatment for aortic aneurysm to help lower blood pressure and relax blood vessels.

However, if the aneurysm is bigger or continues to grow, then patients will most likely have to undergo surgical treatment for aortic aneurysm to remove the bulge in the aorta. Drug treatment for aortic aneurysm is prescribed if the bulge is small, and the drugs are used to prevent the condition from getting worse.

Doctors will typically monitor at-risk patients for six months to see if the aortic aneurysm is growing. In addition to the medication, doctors will recommend patients avoid heavy lifting and other activities that increase pressure on the aorta.

If the aortic aneurysm gets worse, then the patient will probably feel pain in the chest, back, or jaw and will most likely have to undergo surgery later. The most common surgical treatment for aortic aneurysm is open abdominal or chest repair, in which the bulge in the aorta is removed and is replaced with a fabric called a graft.

Another treatment for aortic aneurysm is a newly developed procedure called endovascular repair, in which a stent graft is inserted through the groin and into the area of the aortic aneurysm. The stent graft is a wire frame attached to a fabric tube, which is supposed to alleviate the aortic walls.

Regardless of which treatment for aortic aneurysm the patient is prescribed, recovery for these patients often involves lifestyle changes including:

• Change of diet
• Giving up unhealthy habits like smoking
• Eliminating high amounts of stress
• Avoiding strenuous activities

It is important to note that aortic aneurysm can become a serious if not treated promptly, and patients should be wary for any odd symptoms like chest or abdominal pains.

Overview of Fluoroquinolone Aortic Aneurysm Correlation

Recently, aortic aneurysm has become associated with fluoroquinolone antibiotics like Levaquin, with recent studies indicating a potential correlation. These studies were published in JAMA Internal Medicine and BMJ Open in November 2015. Researchers found that fluoroquinolone patients had a 124 percent to 143 percent increased risk of suffering aortic aneurysm or dissection.

In addition, studies found that past patients have a 48 percent increased risk. Aortic dissection is a tear in the inner layer of aorta, causing the layers of the blood vessel wall to separate.

Overall, these studies and other new inquiries indicate fluoroquinolone patients are two to three times more likely to suffer aortic damages. Fluoroquinolone medications have been linked with tendon ruptures for years, with researchers speculating that the drugs could also weaken the aortic walls.

Over 20 million prescriptions are written for fluoroquinolone antibiotics every year, to treat a number of bacterial infections. Fluoroquinolones are popular antibiotics that are typically prescribed to treat respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and even joint and bone infections.

Even though aortic aneurysm and dissection are serious complications, they are not currently mentioned on fluoroquinolone medication warning labels.