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Direct to an emergency department for:

  • Present or suspected acute aortic dissection.
  • Present or suspected ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm or thoracic aortic aneurysm.

Immediately contact the vascular registrar to arrange an urgent vascular assessment for:

  • Suspected intact, symptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm or thoracic aortic aneurysm.

Criteria for referral to public hospital specialist clinic services

  • Abdominal aortic aneurysm > 4.0cm diameter measure.
  • Descending thoracic aortic aneurysm > 5.0cm diameter measure.
  • Rapid abdominal aortic aneurysm expansion (> 1.0cm diameter growth per year).

Information to be included in the referral

Information that must be provided

  • Current and previous imaging results.

Provide if available

Not applicable.

Additional comments

The Summary and referral information lists the information that should be included in a referral request.

The decision to refer should be based on diameter measurements, not the length of an aneurysm.

Referrals for dilatation of the ascending aorta should be directed to a cardiology service provided by the health service.

Where appropriate and available the referral may be directed to an alternative specialist clinic or service.

Referral to a public hospital is not appropriate for

Not applicable.