Abdominal Aneurysm

Front 1

Abdominal Aneurysm: What is it? (pathology?)

Back 1

Posterior Rupture: pouch bursts, bleeds in area, back pain leads to death
Anterior Rupture: pouch bursts in abdominal cavity causing bleeding.

Your aorta runs through your chest, where it is called the thoracic aorta.

When it reaches your abdomen, it is called the abdominal aorta. The abdominal aorta supplies blood to the lower part of the body. When a weak area of the abdominal aorta expands or bulges, it is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The pressure from blood flowing through your abdominal aorta can cause a weakened part of the aorta to bulge, much like a balloon. Aneurysms are a health risk because they can burst or rupture. A ruptured aneurysm can cause severe internal bleeding, which can lead to shock or even death.

aortic aneurysms may also develop due to an aortic dissection, which is typically associated with high blood pressure. An aortic dissection occurs when blood flow forces the layers of the wall of your aorta apart, which weakens your aorta.

Front 2

Abdominal Aneurysm: What is the cause?

Back 2

Thought to be from plaque which causes wall changes and decreased elasticity, weakens wall and eventual dialation.

The leading thought is that the aneurysm may be caused by inflammation in the aorta, which may cause its wall to weaken or break down. Some researchers believe that this inflammation can be associated with atherosclerosis (also called hardening of the arteries) or risk factors that contribute to atherosclerosis, such as high blood pressure (hypertension) and smoking.

Front 3

Abdominal Aneurysm: What risk factors for developing?

Back 3

hypertension
atherosclerosis
an immediate relative, such as a mother or brother, who has had AAA
high blood pressure
Smoking

Front 4

Abdominal Aneurysm: Highest risk?

Back 4

Being a man older than 60 years

Front 5

Abdominal Aneurysm: Signs & symptoms?

Back 5

Asymptomatic
CT-Scan
Bruits
Abdominal or back pain

Although you may initially not feel any symptoms with AAA, if you develop symptoms, you may experience one or more of the following:
Location symptoms:
A pulsing feeling in your abdomen, similar to a heartbeat
Severe, sudden pain in your abdomen or lower back. If this is the case, your aneurysm may be about to burst
On rare occasions, your feet may develop pain, discoloration, or sores on the toes or feet because of material shed from the aneurysm

Front 6

Abdominal Aneurysm: Diagnostic tests?

Back 6

Asymptomatic
CXR(chest x-ray)-Widening of aorta
Echo-Aorta insufficiency
CT-Scan (most accurate)
MRI
Angiogram


Detect on routine exam or by accident on CT Scan.

Bruits:unusual sound that blood makes when it rushes past an obstruction (called turbulent flow) in an artery when the sound is auscultated with the bell portion of a stethoscope, on auscultation.

Abdominal or back pain

Front 7

Abdominal Aneurysm: Lab tests?

Back 7

Abdominal ultrasound
Computed tomography (CT) scan
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Front 8

Abdominal Aneurysm: What is not an aneurysm but seems like it?

Back 8

False (pseudo) Disruption in arterial wall resulting in bleeding from trauma, infection.