An AAA is a weakening in the wall of the abdominal section of the aorta. Once a section of the aortic wall is weakened, pressure from the blood flowing through the vessel causes the aorta to bulge or balloon, resulting in an aneurysm. A large proportion of AAAs are asymptomatic until rupture. Rupture of an AAA can be acute and is life threatening. Therefore, considering an effective method for screening and treating appropriate patients before rupture is important.
Conventional abdominal duplex ultrasonography was the primary method used in the available trials of AAA screening. Primary care physicians and vascular surgeons widely accept abdominal duplex ultrasonography as the standard approach. Screening with ultrasonography is noninvasive, easy to do, and has high sensitivity and specificity. In addition, it has shown high rates of reproducibility, does not expose patients to radiation, and is relatively low cost.
The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association jointly recommend a one-time screening for AAA with physical examination and ultrasonography in men aged 65 to 75 years who have ever smoked and in men age 60 years or older who are the sibling or offspring of a person with AAA. These organizations do not recommend screening for AAA in men who have never smoked or in women. The Society for Vascular Surgery recommends a one-time ultrasonography screening for AAA in men aged 55 years or older with a family history of AAA, all men aged 65 years or older, and women aged 65 years or older who have smoked or have a family history of AAA. The American College of Preventive Medicine recommends a one-time screening in men aged 65 to 75 years who have ever smoked; it does not recommend routine screening in women.
If you’re concerned, talk to your doctor about an abdominal aortic aneurysm screening. High Desert Doppler is here to help.