Houston Methodist Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Guidelines.

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Emergency Medicine
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (RAAA) is a life-threatening condition requiring immediate medical intervention.
• Effective management necessitates seamless coordination across multiple healthcare disciplines and patient transfer points.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a standardized protocol for RAAA management at a dedicated Acute Aortic Treatment Center.
• To enhance patient outcomes through safe and efficient navigation of critical care phases.

Main Methods:

• Development of a five-phase protocol: prehospital, preoperative, intraoperative, postoperative, and post-discharge.
• Identification of key care team members including transfer center, anesthesia, OR nursing, surgeons, and ICU staff.
• Systematic identification of critical decision points and potential complications.

Main Results:

• The protocol provides a structured workflow for acute aortic emergencies.
• It facilitates clear communication and decision-making among the multidisciplinary care team.
• Potential complications are identified with recommendations for best practices.

Conclusions:

• A standardized RAAA protocol optimizes patient care and outcomes.
• This systematic approach ensures efficient management of acute aortic emergencies.
• The protocol serves as a best-practice model for RAAA treatment.