Abdominal aortic aneurysm Flashcards
Define abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)
Distention/dilation of the abdominal aorta because of weakening of the vessel walls-bulges outwards and risks bursting–defined as over 3cm
permanent pathological dilation of the aorta with a diameter >1.5 times
Aetiology and risk factors of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)
Risk factors: Age (over 66), Men, COPD, known coronary, cerebro or vascular disease, family history of AAA, Hypercholesteamia, smoking, Hypertension –Artherosclerosis
Others: soft tissue disease, Giant cell arteritis, trauma
Aetiology-unclear, but mostly caused by artherosclerosis (80% of time)
Epidemology of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)
Prevalence among men is 4 to 6 times higher
UK National Health Service AAA screening programme is 1.34% among men over 65
deaths from AAA declined sharply from 1997 to 2009, with mortality in men aged >65 years falling from 65.9 to 44.6 per 100,000 population
Symptoms of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)
Most common-asymptomatic
Non ruptured-severe back/abdominal pain, chest, flank, spreading to groin, legs, buttocks, deep dull feeling pain, throbbing, can last for hours to days —main one is severe abdominal discomfort
Pulsatile mass in chest
Cold/lacking blood feet-blue feet
Fever/weight loss if resulting from an infection
RUPTURED AAA-Extreme abdo pain, symptoms of hypovaleamia (dizzyniess, clamy sweaty skin, SOB, tachycardia, fainting shock. => mega need treatment
Signs of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)
Pulsatile mass in abdomen, collapse, Expansile mass-and expanse still pulse
+ Hx
Investigations of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)
Abdominal ultrasound-over 3 cm or 1.5 times size
ESR/CRP-raised in inflammatory AAA
WBC raised in infective AAA
Blood cultures for infective AAA
Immediate refer to vascular surgeons,
if elective repair-CT angiogram
ALWAYS monitor in long run-if growing or over 5cm-repair
