Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Examination

A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps: General physical examination-including blood pressure, pulse, body weight, height; further: Inspection (viewing). Skin, mucous membranes and sclerae Abdomen (abdomen) Shape of the abdomen? Skin color? Skin texture? Efflorescences (skin changes)? Pulsations? Bowel movements? Visible vessels? Scars? Hernias (fractures)? Auscultation (listening) of the carotid … Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Examination

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Test and Diagnosis

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) cannot be diagnosed by laboratory parameters. The following 1st-order laboratory parameters-obligatory laboratory tests-should nevertheless be determined. Small blood count Fasting glucose (fasting blood glucose) Inflammatory parameters – CRP (C-reactive protein). Liver parameters – alanine aminotransferase (ALT, GPT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST, GOT), glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (gamma-GT, GGT), alkaline phosphatase, … Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Test and Diagnosis

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Drug Therapy

Therapeutic target Prevention of rupture (“tearing”). Therapy recommendations Drug therapy for arterial hypertension (high blood pressure) is essential in the presence of aneurysm (see Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)/Medicinal Therapy); furthermore, treatment of cardiovascular risk factors (statins/cholesterol-lowering drugs are indicated in cardiovascular primary or secondary prevention). In Marfan syndrome, beta-blockers should be used to reduce the … Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Drug Therapy

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Diagnostic Tests

Obligatory medical device diagnostics. Abdominal ultrasonography (ultrasound examination of abdominal organs; with ultrasound contrast agent, if necessary) – if abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is suspected [ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms]. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen (abdominal CT) – when abdominal aortic aneurysm is suspected or to show the morphology of an aneurysm. Note … Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Diagnostic Tests

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Surgical Therapy

Two treatment modalities are available for the management of nonruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (nrAAA): Open surgery (OAR). Endovascular aneurysm elimination (EVAR). For patients with acceptable periprocedural risk, EVAR and OAR should be recommended equally, assuming anatomic feasibility of EVAR. Level of evidence 1a/grade of recommendation A. [S3 guideline] Indication asymptomatic AAA Recommendation. For the treatment … Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Surgical Therapy

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Prevention

To prevent abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) (abdominal aortic aneurysm), attention must be paid to reducing individual risk factors. Behavioral risk factors Pleasure food consumption Alcohol consumption – People with a genetic predisposition to alcohol consumption are 2.6 times more likely to suffer an abdominal aortic aneurysm (evidence from Mendelian randomization). Nicotine abuse (routine screening for … Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Prevention

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

The following symptoms and complaints may indicate abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) (abdominal aortic aneurysm): Chronic back or abdominal pain/flank pain or even diffuse abdominal discomfort (abdominal pain). Possibly palpable pulsatile tumor Notice: Most patients with a nonruptured AAA are asymptomatic. If the AAA is pressure-dolent (painful on palpation), there is an increased risk of rupture … Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Causes

Pathogenesis (disease development) Atherosclerosis (= intimal lesion/injury to the inner layer of a vessel) is the most common cause of aortic aneurysm (medial lesion/injury to the middle layer of a vessel). The pathogenesis is still very unclear. Of importance seems to be an increased activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in affected patients. These regulate connective … Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Causes

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Therapy

General measures Nicotine restriction (refraining from tobacco use). Limited alcohol consumption (men: max. 25 g alcohol per day; women: max. 12 g alcohol per day). Moderate physical activity has a preventive effect on the progression (progression) of atherosclerotic (arteriosclerosis-related) aneurysms. Competitive sports should be refrained from (from an aortic diameter > 4 cm!). Review of … Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Therapy

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Complications

The following are the major diseases or complications that may be contributed to by abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) (abdominal aortic aneurysm): Cardiovascular System (I00-I99) Aortic dissection (synonym: aneurysm dissecans aortae) – acute splitting (dissection) of the wall layers of the aorta (main artery), with a tear of the inner layer of the vessel wall (intima) … Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Complications