Chapter 7, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: Diagnosis and Catheter-Based Approaches
ELIZABETH L. DETSCHELT, MD; MANISH MEHTA, MD, MPH
CASE STUDY:
A 76-year-old man with a history of smoking, hypertension, and coronary artery disease status requests evaluation for a possible AAA. He recently received a call from his brother, who at the age of 78 years has been diagnosed with an AAA that needs repair. The patient does not complain of abdominal or back pain. Both of his parents died in their 80s from unknown cause. He has 3 brothers and 3 sisters, ranging from 70 to 82 years.
On physical examination, the pulse is 84 and blood pressure is 178/88. Carotid pulses are normal; there are no carotid bruits. The heartbeat is regular and without murmurs, rubs, or gallops. Lungs are clear bilaterally. He is moderately obese, with no pulsatile AAA. He has femoral and pedal pulses bilaterally, as well as prominent popliteal pulses bilaterally. There are no signs of atheroemboli.