Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)

Your Path

  • Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)

Etiology

  • Dilatation of abdominal aorta > 3cm in diameter

Risk Factors

  • Male, smoking, age > 65
  • Less powerful RFs: hypertension, hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis elsewhere

Symptoms

  • Upper abd/vague umbilical pain, radiating to back
  • Profound hypotenision/other sx hypoperfusion if leaking/ruptured→ rapid demise if not identified/fixed
  • Most commonly, AAA are asymptomatic and detected either by screening or at time of rupture (when symptoms occur)

Physical Exam Findings

  • Can be ill appearing if significant pain or volume loss
  • Tachycardia and hypotension if volume loss
  • Epigastric/mid abdominal pain
  • AAA sometimes palpable in non-obese, asymptomatic patients

Tests