**ACC (Y4)** "Abdominal pain": Abdo aortic anuerysm (AAA)

Question 1

Presentation of AAA

Answer 1

• Often asymptomatic
• Symptoms of peripheral vascular disease
• Non-specific abdominal pain
• Palpable expansile pulsation in abdomen when palpated with both hands (pulse near belly button)
• Found incidentally on abdominal Xray
  Diagnosis by ultrasound or angiography (CT or MRI)

Question 2

Management of AAA

Answer 2

• Treat reversible risk factors
• Monitoring size
• Treating peripheral arterial disease
• Surgical (usually considered >5.5cm):

1. Endovascular stenting
2. Laparoscopic repair
3. Open surgical repair

Question 3

presentation of a ruptured AAA

Answer 3

• known AA
• severe abdo pain (non-specific)
• Haemodynamic instability (hypotension, tachycardia)

pt should be transferred to theatres immediately / rupture can be diagnosed with immediate CT in haemodynamically stable pts

Question 4

causes / risk factors for AAA

Answer 4

• atherosclerosis
• high BP
• peripheral artery disease
• infection of aorta
• trauma e.g. RTA
• other aneurysms

Question 5

what is an aortic dissection?

Answer 5

As the tear extends along the wall of the aorta, blood can flow in between the layers of the blood vessel wall (dissection). This can lead to aortic rupture or decreased blood flow (ischemia) to organs.