Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Question 1

What is the main cause of an AAA?

Answer 1

atherosclerosis

Question 2

What is the pathophys of an AAA?

Answer 2

degeneration of the aortic wall + inflammation

Question 3

Most AAA are….

Answer 3

asymptomatic and incidental findings

Question 4

An acute leakage or rupture is….

Answer 4

rapidly fatal

Question 5

What is the presentation of a rupture?

Answer 5

sever back pain or abd. pain with syncope and hypotension, tender pulsatile abd. mass

Question 6

What does ripping chest pain indicate?

Answer 6

thoracic dissection

Question 7

What is the initial imaging study of choice in pts. suspected of AAA?

Answer 7

abd. U/S

Question 8

What is the test of choice for thoracic aneurysms and pts. w. known AAA?

Answer 8

CT scan

Question 9

What is the gold standard and used before surgical intervention?

Answer 9

angiography

Question 10

What is the definitive management of AAA?

Answer 10

surgical repair - refer to vascular surgeon is > 4.5cm

Question 11

When do you do immediate surgical repair even if they’re asymptomatic?

Answer 11

If AAA is 5.5cm or larger OR if expanding > than 0.5cm in months

Question 12

What is the treatment for AAA 4-4.5?

Answer 12

monitor via U/S q 6 months

Question 13

What is the treatment for AAA 3-4 cm?

Answer 13

monitor via U/S every year

Question 14

What else is given for pts. w. AAA?

Answer 14

BB