AAA: Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

📧 EM Note Newsletter https://forms.gle/8boToiKDXVE3V8U19 Signup to get free weekly PDF via email. PS: Please join our membership for more perks (members can request for specific PDF file by posting in the EM Note YouTube Membership section). Homepage: EMNote.org ■ 🚩Membership: https://tinyurl.com/joinemnote 🚩ACLS Lecture: https://tinyurl.com/emnoteacls This lecture offers a comprehensive medical overview of the Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA), defining it as a permanent, localized dilation of the aorta that requires early detection due to its high mortality risk upon rupture. The source details key risk factors, emphasizing smoking and male sex, and outlines the disease's pathophysiology involving matrix degradation and inflammation. Crucial information includes the screening guidelines recommending a one-time ultrasound for men aged 65–75 with a smoking history, and the text distinguishes between asymptomatic, symptomatic, and ruptured presentations. Finally, it covers the management paradigm, which is based on aneurysm size, specifying that repairs are typically indicated for men with a diameter $\ge 5.5 \text{ cm}$ and detailing the differences between Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR) and Open Surgical Repair (OSR).