Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Flashcards
Define Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm? (AAA)
A localised enlargement of the abdominal aorta such that the diameter is > 3 cm or > 50% larger than normal diameter
What is the normal diameter of the aorta?
2 cm
What are the risk factors for AAA?
Severe atherosclerotic damage to aortic wall Family history Smoking Male Age Hypertension Hyperlipidaemia Connective Tissue Disorders Inflammatory Disorders `
What are some Connective Tissue Disorders?
Marfan’s Syndrome
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
What are some Inflammatory Disorders?
Behcet’s Disease
Takayasu’s Arteritis
What are the presenting symptoms of unruptured AAA?
NO Symptoms
Usually an incidental finding
May have pain in the back, abdomen, loin or groin
What are the presenting symptoms of ruptured AAA?
Pain in the abdomen, back or loin
Pain may be sudden or severe
Syncope
Shock
What does the degree of shock depend on in ruptured AAA?
Site of Rupture
Whether it is contained
What are the signs of AAA on physical examination?
Pulsatile and laterally expansile mass on bimanual palpation of the abdominal aorta
Abdominal bruit
Retroperitoneal haemorrhage can cause Grey-Turner’s sign
What bloods would you do for AAA?
FBC Clotting Screen Renal Function Liver Function Cross-match if surgery is planned
What scans would you do for AAA?
US - can detect aneurysm but can’t tell whether it is leaking or not
CT with Contrast - can show whether an aneurysm has ruptured
MRI angiography