Chapter 16 Aortic and vascular emergencies
ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) affects approximately 2% of the population with a peak incidence between 70 and 75 years of age and a significant male predominance. Ninety-five percent of AAAs occur below the level of the renal arteries. The most common life-threatening complications of AAA seen in the emergency department are rupture or threatened rupture.
Investigation, diagnosis
All patients suspected of AAA rupture require bloods for emergency crossmatch (10 units) and estimation of haemoglobin, electrolytes, renal function, troponin and lipase. An ECG and chest X-ray should be performed if the patient is haemodynamically stable.