Ruptured Aortic Aneurysms in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Scoping Review of Emergency Presentation, Diagnosis and Outcome

This scoping review maps the existing literature on the emergency presentation, diagnostic pathways, management, and outcomes of ruptured aortic aneurysms (abdominal and thoracic) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Existing literature on aortic aneurysms in Africa has focused principally on prevalence and epidemiological pattern (CRD42020162214) or is limited to a single country, Nigeria (CRD42021258646). Neither addresses how ruptured presentations specifically are recognised, diagnosed, and managed at the point of emergency care across SSA as a region. The review follows Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for scoping reviews and is reported in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Six databases will be searched (PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Global Health, Google Scholar and African Journals Online), with results screened against pre-specified inclusion and exclusion criteria. Given that preliminary searching indicates the available literature consists predominantly of case reports and small case series, a scoping review design was selected over a systematic review with meta-analysis; no pooled quantitative synthesis is planned. Expected outcomes include a comprehensive evidence map of ruptured aortic aneurysm presentation, diagnosis, management, and outcomes in SSA emergency and hospital settings, and identification of geographic and methodological gaps in the current evidence base to inform future primary research and clinical practice in the region.