An abdominal aortic aneurysm: Which statement is true?

• A. is often the result of hypertension and atherosclerosis.
• B. causes dull pain that radiates to the shoulders.
• C. is usually not repairable, even if discovered early.
• D. can sometimes be palpated as a mass in the groin area.

Answer: (A)

Abdominal aortic aneurysm most often arises when the aortic wall is weakened by atherosclerosis and long-standing hypertension. These conditions damage and thinning the vessel wall, allowing it to dilate over time. That makes the statement about hypertension and atherosclerosis being linked to AAA the true one, because it reflects the common pathophysiology and risk factors behind the condition.

In practice, an AAA can be asymptomatic or cause abdominal or back pain if it enlarges; it is not typically associated with dull pain radiating to the shoulders. A pulsatile mass may sometimes be felt in the abdomen, but not reliably in the groin area—that location is not where an AAA is usually palpable. Importantly, AAA can be repaired when detected early, either with open surgical repair or endovascular techniques, contrary to the idea that it is rarely reparable.