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Aneurysm of the Abdominal Aorta

Jeffrey Chen, MD Reviewed 05/2023
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • There are two types of aneurysms: true and false. A true aneurysm involves all three vessel wall layers. False aneurysms or pseudoaneurysms occur when the intimal and medial layers a...

DIAGNOSIS

  • Asymptomatic AAA (majority)

    • USPSTF recommends a one-time screen for an AAA by abdominal ultrasonography for men aged 65 to 75 years with a smoking history (2)[A].

    • Selective screening for AAAs...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Treat atherosclerotic risk factors: HTN, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and smoking (2)[A].

  • Smoking was associated with a 0.35 mm/year AAA growth, twice as fast as AAA grow...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

  • May do a CT scan 5 years after an open repair for possible late aortic dilatation or pseudoaneurysm (2)[C]

  • Follow-up imaging should be tailored ...

REFERENCES

1
Chaikof  EL, Dalman  RL, Eskandari  MK, et al. The Society for Vascular Surgery practice guidelines on the care of patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm. J Vas...

ADDITIONAL READING

Aggarwal  S, Qamar  A, Sharma  V, et al. Abdominal aortic aneurysm: a comprehensive review. Exp Clin Cardiol.  2011;16(1):11–15. [View Abstract on OvidMedl...

SEE ALSO

Aortic Dissection; Arteritis, Temporal; Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome; Marfan Syndrome; Polyarteritis Nodosa; Turner Syndrome 

CODES

ICD10

  • I71.4 Abdominal aortic aneurysm, without rupture

  • I71.3 Abdominal aortic aneurysm, ruptured

SNOMED

  • 233985008 Abdominal aortic aneurysm (disorder)

  • 14336007 Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm

  • 75878...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Men with a smoking history aged 65 to 75 years should undergo a one-time screening abdominal ultrasound to evaluate for an AAA. Men and women with a first degree relative with an AAA s...

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