Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm discovered by pocket‐sized ultrasound in a low resource setting: a case report
Dublin Core
Title
Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm discovered by pocket‐sized ultrasound in a low resource setting: a case report
Subject
POCUS, Point-of-care ultrasound, Pocket-sized ultrasound, Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurism
Description
Background Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening condition characterized by the weakening
and dilation of the abdominal aorta. AAA primarily affects men, smokers, and the elderly, with rupture being a fatal
complication. While point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is valuable in diagnosing AAA, the role of using pocket-sized
ultrasound in a low resource setting remains less explored. This case report presents a unique instance of a suspected
ruptured AAA diagnosed using pocket-sized ultrasound in an emergency department (ED) situated in a low resource
setting where ultrasound machines are absent, and emergency physicians lack proficiency in ultrasound usage.
Case presentation A 78-year-old man with a history of hypertension and bladder cancer presented to the ED
with suprapubic pain. Initial evaluation showed no concerning findings. However, the next day, he collapsed, became
unconscious, and experienced a cardiac arrest. Despite resuscitation efforts, the patient’s condition deteriorated.
POCUS revealed an 8-cm dilated abdominal aorta with an intimal flap, indicative of a dissecting AAA and a substrate
for AAA rupture. Unfortunately, the patient died despite resuscitation efforts.
Conclusion This case highlights the importance of considering AAA in patients with risk factors and abdominal pain
in a low resource setting. POCUS using a pocket-sized ultrasound can aid in early AAA detection, potentially prevent‐
ing rupture through preemptive vascular intervention. Emergency departments should prioritize ultrasound availabil‐
ity, and emergency physicians should be proficient in its use.
Keywords POCUS, Point-of-care ultrasound, Pocket-sized ultrasound, Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurism
and dilation of the abdominal aorta. AAA primarily affects men, smokers, and the elderly, with rupture being a fatal
complication. While point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is valuable in diagnosing AAA, the role of using pocket-sized
ultrasound in a low resource setting remains less explored. This case report presents a unique instance of a suspected
ruptured AAA diagnosed using pocket-sized ultrasound in an emergency department (ED) situated in a low resource
setting where ultrasound machines are absent, and emergency physicians lack proficiency in ultrasound usage.
Case presentation A 78-year-old man with a history of hypertension and bladder cancer presented to the ED
with suprapubic pain. Initial evaluation showed no concerning findings. However, the next day, he collapsed, became
unconscious, and experienced a cardiac arrest. Despite resuscitation efforts, the patient’s condition deteriorated.
POCUS revealed an 8-cm dilated abdominal aorta with an intimal flap, indicative of a dissecting AAA and a substrate
for AAA rupture. Unfortunately, the patient died despite resuscitation efforts.
Conclusion This case highlights the importance of considering AAA in patients with risk factors and abdominal pain
in a low resource setting. POCUS using a pocket-sized ultrasound can aid in early AAA detection, potentially prevent‐
ing rupture through preemptive vascular intervention. Emergency departments should prioritize ultrasound availabil‐
ity, and emergency physicians should be proficient in its use.
Keywords POCUS, Point-of-care ultrasound, Pocket-sized ultrasound, Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurism
Creator
Ihab Alasasfeh1*, Rawan Abudawood1
, Bayan E.Hwidi2 and Raghad Al‐Shami2
, Bayan E.Hwidi2 and Raghad Al‐Shami2
Source
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-023-00579-w
Date
2024
Contributor
Peri Irawan
Format
pdf
Language
english
Type
text
Files
Collection
Citation
Ihab Alasasfeh1*, Rawan Abudawood1
, Bayan E.Hwidi2 and Raghad Al‐Shami2, “Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm discovered by pocket‐sized ultrasound in a low resource setting: a case report,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 11, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/12252.