The importance of ultrasound diagnostics in aortic aneurysm detection in the municipal institution for emergency medical aid infirmary, Belgrade

• Main Authors: Stefanović Vladanka, Stevović-Gojgić Dušanka, Čolaković Goran, Gojgić Milan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: City Medical emergency department, Belgrade 2019-01-01
• Series: Halo 194
• Subjects: ultrasound; aneurysm of abdominal aorta; emergency medical aid
• Online Access: https://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/2334-6477/2019/2334-64771901020S.pdf
• ISSN: 2334-6477; 2334-6477

Introduction The aneurysm of the abdominal aorta (AAA) is a disease most commonly discovered in middle-aged men, often asymptomatic, but runs a high risk of developing complications. The most dangerous complication is its rupture, which in a high percentage of cases results in death. Ultrasound diagnostics is accepted as an early screening method for AAA worldwide. Objective To demonstrate the importance of Abdominal Ultrasound in early detection and description of AAA in patients examined in the Ultrasound Infirmary in the Municipal Institution for Emergency Medical Aid, Belgrade (MIEMA). Methods Data was compiled from the Protocol of Patients in the Ultrasound Infirmary and electronic reports which were printed out for patients examined in the MIEMA, Belgrade. The data was then analysed using descriptive statistical methods. The patients were examined by an Ultrasound in Clinical Medicine Subspecialist on a GE machine with an 3.5MHz probe. Results In 2015, 1407 ultrasound examinations were performed. The AAA diagnosis was made in 48 patients (3.4%). Of those, 37 were men (77.1%) and 11 were women (22.9%). The most common age of patients at the time of the diagnosis was 60-79 years (83%). The most important risk factors were: smoking (66.7%), hyperlipidaemia (81.3%), hyperglycaemia (60.4%), hypertension (87.5%) and physical inactivity (70.8%). More than 50% of the patients had symptoms of pain in the lower back area and experienced the feeling of strong pulsations in the abdomen. Over 80% had the diameter of AAA that exceeded 35-45mm. The AAA was most commonly positioned in the infrarenal segment of the aorta (85.4%). The most common findings were a single aneurysm (64.6%) and a single parietal thrombus limited to only one wall (56.3%). Conclusion The abdominal ultrasound is a conclusive, simple and precise method for early recognition of AAA in the MIEMA infirmary.