Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA)

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA) are usually asymptomatic and found incidentally on ultrasound, CT, or on physical exam as a pulsating abdominal mass. If becoming symptomatic, most commonly it presents as mid-abdominal pain that radiates to the lower back. Pain could be constant or intermittent, or be worse with pressure applied to the area. Severe pain and a tearing sensation felt in the back is associated with dissection and should be treated as an emergency. AAA are more often found in older males with a smoking history and have atherosclerosis. An AAA is considered present when the aorta diameter measures >3cm. Most common cause is from Atherosclerosis. As the plaque builds up in the aorta it causes damage to the intima and creates a