Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Abdominal aortics aneurysm

- is an abdominal ballooning of the abdominal portion of the aorta, which is the major artery from the heart; aneurysm greater than 5 cm in diameter has a higher risk of rupture

Diagnostic test for abdominal aortic aneurysm

1. Abdominal surgery 2. Abdominal ultrasound 3. MRI 4. Ct scan of abdomen 5. Angiography of aorta

Tx fr abdominal aortic aneurysm

1. If the aneurysm is small and there are no symptoms, periodic evaluation such as annual ultrasound to watch for changes 2. surigcal tx for symptomatic aneurysm 3. Antihypertensive drugs to reduce BP 4. Analgesics

Etiology of abdominal aortic aneurysm

1. exact cause is unknown 2. HT 3. Atherosclerosis 4. infection 5. Congenital weaking of the connective tissue component of the artery wall 6. Trauma

Symptoms fo abdominal aortic aneurysm

1. pulsating sensation in the abdomen 2. pain in the abdomen describes as severe, sudden, persistebt and constant, may radiate to groins and buttocks or legs 3. abdominal rigidity 4. pain in the lower back 5. paleness, tachycardia 6. clammy skin 7. abdominal mass 8. blowing murmur or whoosing (bruit) sound on auscultation *Aortic Dissection -> ruptures of the aortic

Incidence of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

common in people (men) ages 40-70