Study Guide for Final Exam
Abdominal aortic aneurysm
1. Know the causes of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. P493
proposed causes of AAA include atherosclerosis, inflammation, mycotic infection, inheritable
connective ti
...
Study Guide for Final Exam
Abdominal aortic aneurysm
1. Know the causes of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. P493
proposed causes of AAA include atherosclerosis, inflammation, mycotic infection, inheritable
connective tissue disorders (Marfan syndrome, type IV Ehlers-Danlos syndrome), and trauma.
atherosclerosis has been considered the most common cause of AAA and the known cause in
25% of all AAA.
2. Understand risk factors for abdominal aortic aneurysm. P494
Development of AAA: Atherosclerotic vascular disease, white race, male gender, advanced age, HTN,
smoking, COPD, history of hernias, family history of AAA, and presence of other aneurysms.
Hypercholesterolemia
AAA expansion: Advanced age, Severe cardiac disease, Previous stroke, Tobacco use, Cardiac or renal
transplant.
AAA rupture: Female gender, Low FEV1, Larger initial AAA diameter, Higher mean blood pressure,
Current tobacco use, Cardiac or renal transplant, Critical wall stress–wall strength relationship
AAA is an important clinical diagnosis because it is associated with considerable risk of rupture
and death as the aneurysm enlarges to a diameter of more than 5.0cm (1.96 inches).
Evidence suggests that the high prevalence of AAA in patients with COPD may be related to medications
(oral steroids) and coexisting diseases rather than to a common pathway of pathogenesis involving
plasma elastase or α1-antitrypsin deficiency
AAA and elevated homocysteine plasma levels.
AAA represent 75% of aortic aneurysms
3. Know the symptoms of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
AAA may cause symptoms as a result of the pressure on surrounding structures, about 75% are
asymptomatic at initial diagnosis.
Symptoms:
Symptomatic aneurysms increase in number after the age of 70years.
In thin patients, a supine abdominal examination may readily show a pulsatile abdominal mass,
Inflammatory AAAs may be manifested with chronic abdominal pain or back pain and,
sometimes, ureteral obstruction
Microembolic infarcts in the lower extremity of a patient with easily palpable pedal pulses may
suggest either abdominal or popliteal aneurysm. Embolization of mural thrombus from an
abdominal aneurysm may be seen with acute limb ischemia caused by femoral or popliteal
occlusion.
Symptom and sign of a ruptured AAA
classic diagnostic triad of ruptured AAA is hypotension (42%), pulsatile abdominal mass (91%),
and abdominal pain (58%) or back pain (70%). The triad is encountered in only 50% of patients
with a ruptured AAA. Ruptured AAAs should be suspected in any patient who comes in with
complaints of hypotension and atypical abdominal or back pain symptoms
4. What is a Saccular Abdominal Aneurysm?
Saccular aneurysm is an asymmetric weakness or bleb on the side of the aorta; these defects
result from trauma or an internal wall defect caused by an ulcer.
Fusiform aneurysm is a symmetric weakness of the entire circumference of the aorta that
produces a bulge.
5. What are the risks for abdominal aortic aneurysm?
AAA is an important clinical diagnosis because it is associated with considerable risk of rupture
and death as the aneurysm enlarges to a diameter of more than 5.0cm (1.96 inches)
Diagnostic Testing for CAD
6. Why is CT imaging limited in women? P492
Single-photon emission CT imaging is t
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