Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment.

.

Chapters

0:00 Introduction
1:40 Causes of Abdominal aortic aneurysm
2:42 Symptoms of Abdominal aortic aneurysm
3:37 Diagnosis of Abdominal aortic aneurysm
4:12 Treatment of Abdominal aortic aneurysm


Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA or triple A)[6] is a localized enlargement of the abdominal aorta such that the diameter is greater than 3 cm or more than 50% larger than normal.[1] They usually cause no symptoms, except during rupture.[1] Occasionally, abdominal, back, or leg pain may occur.[2] Large aneurysms can sometimes be felt by pushing on the abdomen.[2] Rupture may result in pain in the abdomen or back, low blood pressure, or loss of consciousness, and often results in death.[1][7]

AAAs occur most commonly in those over 50 years old, in men, and among those with a family history.[1] Additional risk factors include smoking, high blood pressure, and other heart or blood vessel diseases.[3] Genetic conditions with an increased risk include Marfan syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.[4] AAAs are the most common form of aortic aneurysm.[4] About 85% occur below the kidneys with the rest either at the level of or above the kidneys.[1] In the United States, screening with abdominal ultrasound is recommended for males between 65 and 75 years of age with a history of smoking.[8] In the United Kingdom and Sweden, screening all men over 65 is recommended.[1][9] Once an aneurysm is found, further ultrasounds are typically done on a regular basis.[2]