Hello and welcome to the Zero to Finals podcast. My name is Tom and in this episode I'm going to be

talking to you about abdominal aortic aneurysms. And you can find written notes on this topic at

zero definals.com slash AAA or in the vascular surgery section of the zero definals surgery book. So let's get

straight into it. Abdominal aortic aneurysms or AAA referred to dilation of the abdominal

aorta with a diameter of more than three centimeters. Often the first time patients become aware that they have an aneurysm is when it ruptures,

causing life-threatening bleeding into the abdominal cavity.

The mortality of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurism is around 80%, so very high.

Let's talk about the risk factors. Men are affected significantly more often

and at a younger age than women. Other risk factors include increased age, smoking, hypertension

or high blood pressure, family history and existing cardiovascular disease.

Let's talk about screening.

All men in England are offered a screening ultrasound scan at 65 years of age

to detect an asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Early detection of an abdominal aortic aneurysm means preventative measures can stop it from expanding further or rupturing.

Women are not routinely offered screening as they're much lower risk.

The nice guidelines from 2020 say a routine ultrasound scan can be considered in women aged over 70 with risk factors such as existing cardiovascular disease,

COPD, family history, hypertension, hyperlipidemia or smoking.

Patients with an aortic diameter above three centimetres are referred to the vascular team

and they're referred urgently if it's more than 5.5 centimeters.

Let's talk about the presentation. Most patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm are

asymptomatic. They won't know that they've got an abdominal aortic aneurysm. It may be discovered

on routine screening or they become aware of it when it rutches.

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