Abdominal aortic aneurysm: Difference between revisions

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==Background==
==Background==
[[File:AneurysmAortaWithArrows.jpg|thumb|CT reconstruction image of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (white arrows).]]
*Infrarenal diameter >3cm or >50% increase in size of diameter
*Infrarenal diameter >3cm or >50% increase in size of diameter
**98% of cases are infrarenal
**85% of cases are infrarenal <ref name="NJM"></ref>
*M to F ratio is 4:1
*M to F ratio is 4:1
*Rupture Risk
*Rupture Risk
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**>5cm: 25-41%
**>5cm: 25-41%
**Rupture possible at any size, most commonly >5cm
**Rupture possible at any size, most commonly >5cm
**Mortality with rupture: 85-90% <ref name="NJM">Kent, K. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2014; 371:2101-8. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMcp1401430 </ref>


===Risk Factors===
===Risk Factors===
*Smoking
*Smoking
**Risk factor most strongly assoc with AAA
**Risk factor most strongly associated with AAA
**Also promotes the rate of aneurysm growth
**Also promotes the rate of aneurysm growth
**Direct relationship between risk and number of smoking years
*Age (prevalence is negligible in age <50yrs)
*Age (prevalence is negligible in age <50yrs)
*Family history
*Family history
*Hypertension
*Hypertension
*Diabetes mellitus
*Hyperlipidemia
*Hyperlipidemia
*Fluoroquinolone use <ref>P. Wendling for Medscape.  FDA Warns of Aortic Aneurysm Risk with Fluoroquinolones.  https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/906867.  Accessed 12/26/2018.</ref>


==Clinical Features==
==Clinical Features==
*Classic triad is pain + hypotension + pulsatile mass
*Classic triad is [[abdominal pain|pain]] + [[hypotension]] + pulsatile mass
**Pain often described as sudden, severe, radiating to back
**Pain often described as sudden, severe, radiating to back, ripping quality
*Syncope (10%)
*[[Syncope]] (10%)
*Signs of [[Retroperitoneal hemorrhage]]
*Signs of [[Retroperitoneal hemorrhage]]
*Massive GI bleed from erosion into intestines
*Massive [[GI bleed]] from [[aortoenteric fistula]]
*Pain + AAA = rupture until proven otherwise
*Pain + AAA = rupture until proven otherwise
*Acute abdomen + hypotension = possible rupture
*Acute abdomen + hypotension = possible rupture
*Gross [[Hematuria]] can be caused by an aortocaval fistula (very rare)
*Gross [[hematuria]] can be caused by an aortocaval fistula (very rare)


==Differential Diagnosis==
==Differential Diagnosis==
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==Evaluation==
==Evaluation==
[[File:AAA.png|thumb|AAA]]
[[File:AAA.png|thumb|AAA]]
 
[[File:AAA_with_Thrombus.gif|thumbnail|Ultrasound of AAA with Thrombus (click to view).<ref>http://www.thepocusatlas.com/aorta-1/</ref>]]
[[File:AneursymCTMark.png|thumb|Abdominal aortic aneurysm seen on CT with a small area of remaining blood flow (white).]]
[[File:Sagital aaa.jpg|thumb|Sagital reconstruction of aortic aneurysm]]
*[[Aortic ultrasound|Ultrasound]]
*[[Aortic ultrasound|Ultrasound]]
**~100% sensitive for increased diameter
**~100% sensitive for increased diameter
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==Management==
==Management==
===Rupture===
===Rupture===
[[File:RupturedAAA.png|thumb|Ruptured AAA with an open arrow marking the aneurysm and the closed arrow marking the free blood in the abdomen.]]
*Do not waste time in ED trying to "stabilize" patient
*Do not waste time in ED trying to "stabilize" patient
*Immediate surgery consultation/ go to OR
*Immediate surgery consultation/ go to OR
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***Consider allowing for permissive hypotension (SBP 80-100) in conscious patient
***Consider allowing for permissive hypotension (SBP 80-100) in conscious patient
**[[Pressors]]
**[[Pressors]]
***[[Norepi]] 0.05mcg/kg/min IV; titrate by 0.02mcg/kg/min q5min
***[[Norepinephrine]] 0.05mcg/kg/min IV; titrate by 0.02mcg/kg/min q5min
***[[Phenylephrine]] 100-180mcg/min; titrate by 25mcg/min q10min
***[[Phenylephrine]] 100-180mcg/min; titrate by 25mcg/min q10min
***[[Dopamine]] 5mcg/kg/min; titrate by 5mcg/kg/min q10min
***[[Dopamine]] 5mcg/kg/min; titrate by 5mcg/kg/min q10min


===Asymptomatic===
===Asymptomatic===
*Prompt vascular surgery outpatient follow-up appt
*Aneurysm > 5 cm: Prompt (within days) vascular surgery outpatient follow-up appt
**Endovascular (75%) vs open repair
*Aneurysm 3-5 cm: Can likely follow up with PCP/surgeon on non-urgent basis
*Screening frequency:
*Screening frequency:
**3-4 cm diameter: 12 months
**3-4 cm diameter: 12 months
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**5-6 cm diameter: 1 month
**5-6 cm diameter: 1 month
*Elective Surgery indicated if:
*Elective Surgery indicated if:
**AAA > 5.5 cm in men
**AAA > 5.5 cm in men <ref name="NJM"></ref>
**AAA > 5 cm in women
**AAA > 5 cm in women <ref name="NJM"></ref>
**increase in size > 1 cm/year
**increase in size > 1 cm/year
**increase in size > 5 mm/6 months
**increase in size > 5 mm/6 months
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*[[Inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm]]
*[[Inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm]]
*[[Acute limb ischemia]] - embolism to lower extremities
*[[Acute limb ischemia]] - embolism to lower extremities
*Graft infection
*Endoleak


==Disposition==
==Disposition==

Revision as of 23:02, 5 August 2020

Background

CT reconstruction image of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (white arrows).
  • Infrarenal diameter >3cm or >50% increase in size of diameter
    • 85% of cases are infrarenal [1]
  • M to F ratio is 4:1
  • Rupture Risk
    • <4cm: low risk for rupture
    • 4-5cm: 5 year risk 3-12%
    • >5cm: 25-41%
    • Rupture possible at any size, most commonly >5cm
    • Mortality with rupture: 85-90% [1]

Risk Factors

  • Smoking
    • Risk factor most strongly associated with AAA
    • Also promotes the rate of aneurysm growth
    • Direct relationship between risk and number of smoking years
  • Age (prevalence is negligible in age <50yrs)
  • Family history
  • Hypertension
  • Hyperlipidemia
  • Fluoroquinolone use [2]

Clinical Features

Differential Diagnosis

Diffuse Abdominal pain

Lower Back Pain

Evaluation

AAA
Ultrasound of AAA with Thrombus (click to view).[3]
Abdominal aortic aneurysm seen on CT with a small area of remaining blood flow (white).
Sagital reconstruction of aortic aneurysm
  • Ultrasound
    • ~100% sensitive for increased diameter
    • Cannot reliably visualize rupture
  • CT
    • ~100% sensitive for increased diameter and rupture
    • IV contrast is preferred but not essential

Management

Rupture

Ruptured AAA with an open arrow marking the aneurysm and the closed arrow marking the free blood in the abdomen.
  • Do not waste time in ED trying to "stabilize" patient
  • Immediate surgery consultation/ go to OR
  • Crossmatch 6 units of pRBC
  • Pain control (avoid hypotension)
  • Antihypertensives (use with caution, goal SBP 110-120 mmHg or MAP 70-80)[4]
    • Labetalol: 20mg IV, then 40-80mg IV q10 min (max 300mg)
    • Esmolol: Bolus 500 mcg/kg, then 50-200 mcg/kg/min
    • Nitroprusside: 0.3 - 0.5 mcg/kg/min, titrate to max 10 mcg/kg/min
  • Controversial
    • Too little (ischemia), too much (increased bleeding)
      • Consider allowing for permissive hypotension (SBP 80-100) in conscious patient
    • Pressors
      • Norepinephrine 0.05mcg/kg/min IV; titrate by 0.02mcg/kg/min q5min
      • Phenylephrine 100-180mcg/min; titrate by 25mcg/min q10min
      • Dopamine 5mcg/kg/min; titrate by 5mcg/kg/min q10min

Asymptomatic

  • Aneurysm > 5 cm: Prompt (within days) vascular surgery outpatient follow-up appt
    • Endovascular (75%) vs open repair
  • Aneurysm 3-5 cm: Can likely follow up with PCP/surgeon on non-urgent basis
  • Screening frequency:
    • 3-4 cm diameter: 12 months
    • 4-5 cm diameter: 6 months
    • 5-6 cm diameter: 1 month
  • Elective Surgery indicated if:
    • AAA > 5.5 cm in men [1]
    • AAA > 5 cm in women [1]
    • increase in size > 1 cm/year
    • increase in size > 5 mm/6 months

Complications

Disposition

  • Admit to OR in cases of ruptured OR
  • Vasc surgery follow up in asymptomatic cases

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Kent, K. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2014; 371:2101-8. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMcp1401430
  2. P. Wendling for Medscape. FDA Warns of Aortic Aneurysm Risk with Fluoroquinolones. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/906867. Accessed 12/26/2018.
  3. http://www.thepocusatlas.com/aorta-1/
  4. Reed, K. Aortic Emergencies, EB Medicine. 2006.