Anuresym (Check if have lump on stomach and/or stomach full of air (not decreasing), Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)- lump on arms and/or legs (normally below knee or on ankles or feet)

An aneurysm is a bulge in a blood vessel caused by a weakness in the blood vessel wall, usually where it branches. As blood passes through the weakened blood vessel, the blood pressure causes a small area to bulge outwards like a balloon.

Aneurysms can develop in any blood vessel in the body, but the most common places are:

• The abdominal aorta (Stomach region)– the artery that transports blood away from the heart to the rest of the body
• Thoracic (located in the chest)
• The brain
• Arms and legs (where blood clots develop in aneurysm).

Symptoms are experienced when weak blood vessels burst and can be fatal.

Diagnosis tests

• One can try the Homan sign (see images above) and use as a guide to see if have symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis in legs.
• One can consider the Wells scoring system and use as a guide to see if have symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis.
• Other test include:
  • Blood test -D-dimer assay; levels of antithrombin III, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, and C-reactive protein; and erythrocyte sedimentation rate
    • The D-dimer level may be elevated in any medical condition where clots form, including trauma, recent surgery, haemorrhage (bleeding), cancer, and sepsis.
    • Many of these conditions are associated with higher risk for DVT.
    • D-dimer levels remain elevated in DVT for about 7 days

Results

• A negative D-dimer assay result rules out DVT in patients with low to moderate risk (Wells DVT score < 2).
• A negative result also obviates surveillance and serial testing in patients with moderate to high risk and negative ultrasonographic findings.
• All patients with a positive D-dimer assay result and all patients with a moderate to high risk for DVT (Wells DVT score >2) require a diagnostic study (duplex ultrasonography).

Medscape

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms risk rupture

Untreated Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms are at risk for rupture when dilation of the vessel increases beyond 5.5 cm. The risk for rupture increases progressively with continued heavy smoking, poor control of blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and age.

• < 4 cm in diameter: 0% risk
• 4-4.9 cm in diameter: 0.5%-5% risk
• 5-5.9 cm in diameter: 3%-15% risk
• 6-6.9 cm in diameter: 10%-20% risk
• 7-7.9 cm in diameter: 20%-40% risk
• 8 cm in diameter: 30%-50% risk

The Joint Council of the American Association for Vascular Surgery and the Society for Vascular Surgery:

Brewster DC, Cronenwett JL, Hallett JW Jr, et al. Guidelines for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Report of a subcommittee of the Joint Council of the American Association for Vascular Surgery and Society for Vascular Surgery. J Vasc Surg. 2003;37:1106-1117.