abdominal aortic aneurysm

Question 1

what is AAA and is patho

Answer 1

outpouching or weaking of aortic wall
true = all 3 aorta layers
Abdominal aortic aneurysms tend to occur when there is a failure of the structural proteins of the aorta. What causes these proteins to fail is unknown, but it results in the gradual weakening of the aortic wall. The decrease in structural proteins of the aortic wall, such as elastin and collagen, has been identified

Question 2

etiology of aaa

Answer 2

atherosclerosis,
inflammation of the arteries
-inhertited conditions such as marfans and Ehlers danlos syndrome
- injury to the aorta or trauma
- infections such as syphilis, E coli, salmonella

Question 3

what are the risk factors of AAA

Answer 3

• age greater than 65
• family history of AAA
• male
• smoking
• obesity

Question 4

signs AND SYMPTOMS of aaa

Answer 4

• usually asymptoamic
• pulsatile abdominal mass
• aortic diameter exceeding 5cm
• trash toes

rupture
1. sudden- onset lower back or epigastric pain
2. hypotension from blood loss that can result in tachycardia
3. pulsatile abdominal mass

other is formation of a thrombus