Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Original Editors - Justin Rosinski and Clint Morris from Bellarmine University's Pathophysiology of Complex Patient Problems project.
Top Contributors - Clinton Morris, Justin Rosinski, Elaine Lonnemann, Evan Thomas, Kim Jackson, Lucinda hampton, WikiSysop, David Olukayode and Admin
Definition/Description[edit | edit source]
An aneurysm is defined as an increase in the diameter of a vessel compared to normal segments by 50% or more.[1] This occurs as a result of localized weakening of the arterial wall, and must include all 3 layers (intima, media, and adventitia) of the arterial wall to be considered a true aneurysm.[1] Aneurysms are most common in the aorta, particularly the abdominal and thoracic regions, but may also affect any part of the vascular system, including lesser arteries and veins.[2]
Aneurysms are typically defined as fusiform or saccular (Merck), with fusiform aneurysm defined as a widening in the circumference of the artery in a localized area and saccular aneurysm as a localized herniation of the arterial wall (Merck).[1] A dissecting aneurysm may also develop, and is similar to a fusiform aneurysm in that it is a bilateral enlargement of arterial wall, except that there is separation of the layers of the artery (Goodman & Fuller).[2] A pseudoaneurysm is defined as a leaking of blood from the arterial lumen into connective tissue, contained outside of the arterial wall (Merck).[1]
Although an aneurysm may occur in any artery, they are most common in the abdominal and thoracic regions (Merck).[1] The abdominal aorta begins at the aortic hiatus in the diaphragm (approximately T12 vertebral level), and ends at approximately the L4 vertebral level, where it splits into the right and left common iliac arteries (Moore).[3] The abdominal aorta is approximately 13 cm in length (Moore).[3] In the abdominal aorta, the most common location of an AAA is just below the renal arteries (Merck).[1] The most common complications arising from an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) include pain from ischemia, thromboembolism, spontaneous dissection, and rupture of the aneurysm leading to hemorrhage and possible death (Merck).[1]
Prevalence[edit | edit source]
add text here
Characteristics/Clinical Presentation[edit | edit source]
add text here
Associated Co-morbidities[edit | edit source]
add text here
Medications[edit | edit source]
add text here
Diagnostic Tests/Lab Tests/Lab Values[edit | edit source]
add text here
Etiology/Causes[edit | edit source]
add text here
Systemic Involvement[edit | edit source]
add text here
Medical Management (current best evidence)[edit | edit source]
add text here
Physical Therapy Management (current best evidence)[edit | edit source]
add text here
Differential Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
add text here
Case Reports/ Case Studies[edit | edit source]
add links to case studies here (case studies should be added on new pages using the case study template)
Resources
[edit | edit source]
Recent Related Research (from Pubmed)[edit | edit source]
Failed to load RSS feed from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/erss.cgi?rss_guid=1FQ_Hz0ueKYtiiNwRg4dFLu-AZydR62tKCv_fBwyixlqTD3kMn|charset=UTF-8|short|max=10: Error parsing XML for RSS
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Porter RS, Kaplan JL. The Merck manual of diagnosis and therapy. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.; 2011.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Goodman CC, Fuller KS. Pathology: implications for the physical therapist. St. Louis, MO: Saunders/Elsevier; 2009.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Moore KL, Agur AMR, Dalley AF, Moore KL. Essential clinical anatomy. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2015.
