Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Flashcards
what are the differentials for severe abdo pain, sudden onset, radiating to the back?
perforated viscus
acute pancreatitis
biliary colic
acute mesenteric occlusion
ruptured AAA
what are the 3 main branches of abdominal aorta
super mesenteric, inferior mesenteric and coeliac trunk
how does CO and BP change in patient who is losing blood?
o Body is able to maintain pressure at expense of CO and tissue BF until a large blood volume has been lost
o Only when compensatory mechanisms are unable to cope that BP begins to fall
o Hence, any person esp young and well, who have low BP in the context of acute blood loss are EXTREMELY ill and need urgent care
what is an AAA and what is a ruptured AAA?
dilated abdominal aorta
aneurysm pops and starts bleeding into the abdominal cavity
what is an aneurysm?
dilatation of ALL layers of the arterial wall and most are caused by degenerative disease
loss of intima and elastic fibres in media and associated with lymphocytic infiltration
what are the risk factors for a AAA?
smoking HTN diabetes age >60 being male 4:1 caucasian FH connective tissue disease such as marfans
how does a AAA present
often asymptomatic
symptoms of peripheral vascular disease
non specific abdo pain
visible or palpable pulsation
how do you investigate for a AAA
USS or angiography CT or MRI
examine pulse in all limbs (aneurysm in popliteal also likely)
how do you treat a triple A?
treat reversible risk factors
monitoring size
treat peripheral arterial disease
surgery
what surgery is done for AAA
endovascular stenting (into abdominal aorta to prevent blood from collecting in the aneurysm)
complication = endo-leak
laparoscopic repair and open surgical repair
can also clamp the artery
what happens in a ruptured triple A
risk of rupture increases with diameter
high mortality
presents with pulsatile mass and severe abdo pain, haemodynamic instability, may have generalised shock state and bilateral leg ischaemia
NO delay for imaging, diagnosis of rupture can be confirmed by immediate CT abdomen
what other aneurysms may you see?
thoracic, suprarenal, popliteal
what is the management of major haemorrhages?
recognise blood loss
resuscitate and call for help
stop the bleeding (pressure, reverse anti-coagulants, transexamic acid)
blood samples: group and save then cross match = give blood components as necessary
massive haemorrhage packs (1 and 2)
monitor coagulation tests and move to goal directed
what massive haemorrhage packs 1 and 2
pack 1: 4 units of RBC and 4 units of FFP
pack 2: (given if MH continues)
- 4 units RBC, 4 units of FFP, 1 dose of platelets and 2 packs cryoprecipitates)
what is the patient at risk of after the MH is under control?
patient will be at risk of thrombosis and will require thromboprophylaxis
what is peripheral vascular disease?
atherosclerosis in arteries, can be chronic limb ischaemia or acute limb ischaemia
what is claudication
pain on exertion due to ischaemia, predictable pain that settles swiftly at rest
what is chronic limb ischaemia
ulceration, limb loss as well as rest pain