Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)

Ballooning of a weakened section of vessel wall on the abdominal aorta, typically

below the level of the lumbar vertebrae, potentially causing dissection and/ or
rupture of the aorta leading to profound shock and rapid mortality.
Common risk factors: Cardiac (Family history, Male > 50yo, smoking, HT, diabetes,
hyperlipidaemia, obesity, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, IHD) Other factors: trauma, infection
Weakening/ damage to endothelium of abdominal aorta.
Nb. Possibly more susceptible to vessel wall damage than other areas of the descending aorta
Tear in aorta tunica intima
Blood enters between intima,
media & adventitia layers
Bulging in section of aorta
wall (>3cm in diameter)
= ANEURYSM

High pressure causes blood

to track causing false lumen
between layers = DISSECTION
Sudden & severe back,
abdominal, flank tearing pain

Turbulent & altered blood

flow within artery

Vague abdominal &/ or back pain

Nerve stimulation causes

radiating groin or testicular pain

Thrombus formation

Pulsatile or palpable abdominal

mass (usually >4cm in diameter)

Pulsatile or palpable abdominal

mass (usually >4cm in diameter)
Hypotension & associated
tachycardia
Nausea & vomiting (possibly
due to hypotension and/ or pain
stimulus)
Complete rupture of artery wall
Rapid & continuous
haemorrhage into
retroperitoneum
Syncope (decrease cerebral
perfusion)
Profound shock & DEATH

Altered distal blood supply

Absent or uneven distal pulses
Uneven distal skin colour &
temperature
Distal tissue ischaemia

Clot formation/ hardening

of false lumen

Hypotension & associated

tachycardia & syncope
Nausea & vomiting