S1 E29 Case Study Series #10: The Aneurysm That Masqueraded as a Heart Attack - A Case of Ruptured AAA

What started as a suspected STEMI turned out to be something far more catastrophic. This case takes us inside the emergency hospitalization of an 85-year-old male who collapsed at home, later found to have a ruptured infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm. With intubation, central line placement, and emergent endovascular repair, this is a deep dive into rapid response, cross-disciplinary coordination, and critical decision-making.But the story doesn’t stop in the OR—acute kidney injury, persistent low-grade fevers, and an unexpected gout flare complicated this patient’s post-op course. How do you balance aggressive life-saving interventions with the nuanced challenges of post-op management in older adults?Key Topics for Clinical Learning:Emergency Presentation & Initial Misdiagnosis→ Differentiating STEMI-like symptoms from AAA rupture in older adults.Rapid Interventions & Surgical Management→ Intubation, central access, and endovascular repair for AAA.Post-Op Complication Management→ AKI protocols, febrile workups, and managing comorbidities like gout in the acute setting.Discharge Planning & Rehab Goals→ Transitioning from ICU to rehab: setting expectations for functional recovery and long-term monitoring.