Specialty: Vascular
Age group: Adult
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 greater than 4.0 centimetres diameter measure.
- Descending thoracic aortic aneurysm greater than 5.0 centimetres diameter measure.
- Rapid abdominal aortic aneurysm expansion (greater than 1.0 centimetres 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.
Reviewed 26 May 2025