Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening: 2006 recommendations

Abstract

Health organizations have recently recommended one-time screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) by ultrasonography in men aged 65-75 years who have ever smoked. This recommendation emerged from the results of a systematic review demonstrating that AAA screening and surgical repair of large AAA leads to a decreased AAA-specific mortality in this population. Moreover, AAA screening is cost effective. However, concerns persist about the effectiveness of AAA screening when applied in the daily practice setting and the best care of small AAA, for which research clinical trials have shown that early, elective surgery does not save lives. Feasibility studies of AAA screening and pharmacotherapy studies capable of slowing down the expansion rate of small AAAs may both address these concerns.