Diagnosis of ruptured AAA requires a high index of suspicion.
Classically patients present with:
- sudden onset abdominal/back pain
- Pulsatile abdominal mass
- Hypotension
However, diagnosis should be considered in anyone over the age of 55 presenting with abdominal/back pain (sometimes associated with vomiting) and collapse. Sometimes the pain is in the loin region and radiates to the groin. Such patients may be wrongly diagnosed with renal colic.
Differential diagnosis includes:
- acute MI with cardiogenic shock
- massive pulmonary embolism
- acute pancreatitis
Leicestermedic 