Abodminal Aortic Anuerysm

Question 1

what is the definition of an abdominal aneurysm

Answer 1

a diltation of the abdo aorta by 150%> of its original size

Question 2

whats the difference between a true and false AAA

Answer 2

true involves a rupture to all layers of the wall whereas false is a collection of blood around the vessel wall

Question 3

what is normal size of an AA?

Answer 3

2cm

therefore 3 and over is consider at risk

Question 4

when is elective surgery considered?

Answer 4

symptomatic patients and Elective surgical repair should be considered for aneurysms > 5.0–5.5 cm.

Question 5

how common is it

Answer 5

2-4% of population

8x more common in smokers

Question 6

risk factors

Answer 6

family history, age, blood pressure, MARFANS

smokers

Question 7

causes

Answer 7

atheroma
trauma
infection
connective tissue disorder

Question 8

who is offered screening

Answer 8

men are invited for screening to check for an AAA when they’re 65.
men are 6x more likely to have one

Question 9

signs and symptoms

Answer 9

abdo pain may radiate to back, iliac fossas and groin
‘my heart feels like in its stomach’
sweatiness, shock, pale, clamy, nausea and voiting
dizziness

Question 10

investigations

Answer 10

USS FOPR SGTAGING 
CT -ideal mkost accurate 
AXr-calcification -incidential finding 
ECG
bloods- amylase hb
cross match for blood transfusion 
two large bore cannulas, consider prophylactic catheter 

antibiotics- metriondiazole and cefuroxime
clamping-surgery and graft

Question 11

nonrupture signs and symptoms

Answer 11

asymptomatic or back pain

Question 12

what are two types of true

Answer 12

fusiform and sacullar

false -bulge at side outside vessels

Question 13

name of graft

Answer 13

Dacron

Question 14

Mx

Answer 14

2large bore cannula straight to theatre
group and save, cross match pt

endovascular aneurysm repair (evar)
stenting 
clamping 
open laparotomy 
reduce risk factors
straight to surgery unless stable then maybe CT first