01/03/2024
AAA here doesn't refer to the American Automobile Association – it stands for abdominal aortic aneurysm! Read on to learn more in today's .
Abdominal aortic aneurysm, or AAA, is defined as aortic dilatation greater than 3 cm in diameter. Most AAAs are fusiform, which means they’re spindle-shaped and involve the entire circumference of the aortic wall. Keep in mind that all AAAs are at risk for expansion and rupture.
When working with unstable patients, it is important to stabilize them first, so start with acute management. You may need to intubate the patient, establish IV access, initiate fluid resuscitation, and manage the heart rate and blood pressure before continuing your workup.
Next, obtain the history and physical. Patients typically report sudden-onset abdominal, back, or flank pain. Upon physical examination, you might find a pulsatile abdominal mass, as well as signs of instability like hypotension or tachycardia.
A huge clue to look for is a history of AAA. If they have a known AAA, you should suspect that it ruptured, so call the surgical team right away.
On the other hand, if they have the same signs and symptoms but no history of AAA, you need to obtain an ultrasound to see what's going on.
Your next step will be determined by the ultrasound findings. To get the entire picture of AAA management and treatment, head to Osmosis: https://osms.it/dtb-aaa-fb
