Abstract

PERPETUO, Jéssica Xastre; LEITE, Márcia Pereira  and  GUEDES, Paulo. “The heart in my belly”: a case report. Rev Port Med Geral Fam [online]. 2018, vol.34, n.5, pp.312-316. ISSN 2182-5173.  https://doi.org/10.32385/rpmgf.v34i5.11900.

Introduction: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is an important public health problem. During its natural history, it presents an asymptomatic phase of expansion, in which elective treatment opportunity has proven to be effective and of low risk, compared to being performed during the symptomatic phase. This clinical entity is associated with a high mortality, which may be significantly reduced by elective surgery. Description: 66-year-old male, graduated, currently retired, married and with two daughters, belonging to a functional nuclear family, in phase VIII of Duvall cycle, and middle class of Graffar. Personal history of several cardiovascular risk factors, treated accordingly. The patient went to the Family Health Unit in December 2015, presenting with nausea for two days and a feeling of heaviness and palpitations in the abdomen, that he had been feeling for the past two months, and describing it as «it seems that I have my heart in my belly». The only abnormality in the physical examination was a pulsatile abdominal swelling with approximately 7cm of diameter. Due to suspicion of an AAA, the patient was referred to the Emergency department, and the presence of a justarenal AAA, with a diameter of 9.9cm, was confirmed. He was admitted and underwent surgical treatment of the aneurysm. Postoperative period progressed with complications, including thrombosis of the right renal artery and consequent hypoperfusion of the right kidney (with unsuccessful attempt of permeabilisation), and digestive hemorrhage due to duodenal ulcer. After discharge, during follow-up by the family physician, the patient was very weak, both physically and psychically. Follow-up visits focused on providing emotional and family support, reassessing the clinical conditions that arose during hospital admission, as well as adjusting the usual medication. Commentary: The possibility of early detection AAA through screening appears as a measure capable of modifying its natural evolution. Thus, this is a thought-provoking case on the effectiveness of screening, in the presence of risk factors. It also aims to highlight the importance of the family physician in the early diagnosis of a serious problem, and on the management of physical and psychological complications after hospital discharge.

Keywords : Abdominal aortic aneurysm; Screening.

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