Cardiology #11 (AAA, AD, PAD, Buerger's) Flashcards
MC site of abdominal aortic aneurysm
Infrarenal
Main modifiable risk factor for AAA
Smoking
Other risk factors for AAA
Age > 60 years
Caucasians
Males
Hyperlipidemia
Atherosclerosis
Connective tissue disorder (Marfan)
Syphilis
HTN
On the other hand, what are some protective factors against AAA
Female gender
DM
Moderate alcohol use
Non-Caucasian race
Symptoms of AAA
Most patients are asymptomatic; found incidentally on patients with palpable abdominal mass or abdominal bruit
-Abdominal flank or back pain. Abdominal bruit, pulsatile abdominal mass (unruptured)
What are some symptoms of AAA if the aneurysm has ruptured?
Abdominal, flank, or back pain
Abdominal bruit
Pulsatile mass
Hypotension
Syncope
Flank ecchymosis
Best diagnostic studies in a 1) hemodynamically stable patient and 2) a hemodynamically unstable patient
1) stable: CT scan with IV contrast
2) unstable: focused bedside US
True or False: Patients with known AAA who present with classic symptoms or signs of rupture can be taken to the operating room without preoperative imaging.
True
Best initial test to monitor progression of AAA in an asymptomatic patient with suspected AAA
Abdominal US
Who should be screened, one time, for AAA?
Via abdominal US, men 65-75 years of age who have ever smoked. One time.
If the AAA is ruptured, what is the treatment?
-Immediate surgical repair (end-vascular stent graft or open repair)
What is the size of the AAA that is considered for immediate surgical repair
> or equal to 5.5 cm or 0.5 cm expansion in 6 months
-Even if the patient is asymptomatic
What are the other recommendations for sizes of AAA?
> 4.5 cm: vascular surgeon referral
4-4.5 cm: US every 6 months
3-4 cm: US every 1 year
What is the most common type, also with the highest mortality, of aortic dissection?
Ascending (near the aortic arch or left subclavian)
Most important risk factor for aortic dissection
Hypertension
Other risk factors for aortic dissection
Age > 50
Men
Family history
Turner’s Syndrome
Collagen disorders (Marfan, Ehlers-Danlos)
Pregnancy