What is monitored carefully after an abdominal aortic aneurysm repair?

• A. Creatine kinase
• B. Renal status (BUN, creatinine, urine output)
• C. Serum lipids
• D. Liver enzymes

Answer: (B)

Renal status is watched carefully after an abdominal aortic aneurysm repair because the surgery can affect blood flow to the kidneys, especially with aortic clamping. Early detection of impaired perfusion or evolving kidney injury is crucial, and the best way to do that is by tracking urine output and kidney function tests. Monitoring urine output hourly gives real-time feedback on perfusion, while serial measurements of BUN and creatinine show how well the kidneys are filtering. Keeping renal perfusion adequate through stable blood pressure and good hydration helps prevent acute kidney injury. Other labs like liver enzymes or lipid panels don’t provide the immediate information needed about kidney perfusion in this scenario.