[Rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm]

Abdominal aortic aneurysms, i.e., enlargements of the abdominal aorta > 3 cm, are often the consequence of atherosclerotic vascular changes. Aneurysms of the abdominal aorta are often incidentally detected and asymptomatic. Expansion of the aneurysms are common and associated with an increased risk of rupture, resulting in a life-threatening situation. Here, we demonstrate the case of a 79-year old man being admitted to the hospital for presyncope and repeated hypotension. Before finishing the diagnostic tests, the patient's situation suddenly worsened in the emergency room, due to rupture of a huge infrarenal aneurysm not known until then. Emergency surgery, however, was not successful, confirming the bad outcome for patients in this situation. Early diagnosis and surgical repair where appropriate are essential to affect prognosis of this disease.