Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening is an important procedure that aids in identifying number of people who are at increased risk of the disease. ‘AAA’ has asymptomatic signs. Early diagnosis might help in curbing the high mortality rate, avert any other medical complications and reduce the risk that is associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm. Patients detected with abdominal aortic aneurysm symptoms can be provided detailed information on the illness, further tests that need to be undertaken and appropriate treatment to be availed.
There is an internationally set criterion for the abdominal aortic aneurysm screening. Organizations as US Preventive Task Force or UK National Screening Committee recommends one time screening of abdominal aortic aneurysm under clinical practice guidelines.
Who is eligible for abdominal aortic aneurysm screening?
It has been observed that men are at higher risk of getting ‘AAA’ than women are. Eligibility criteria for ‘AAA’ screening is
Men between the ages of 65 to 75 years
Men who have smoked at least 100 cigarettes until time of screening
Genetics- people who have had a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysm
Patients who have never had an ultrasound done for ‘AAA’ under Medicare cover.
If screening results detect abdominal aortic aneurysm , depending on the severity of the disease, prompt medical action needs to be taken. If the symptoms are mild to moderate, the doctor may advice abdominal aortic aneurysm screening as part of regular healthcare program. This could include annual screening of ‘AAA’ to check if the aneurysm is increasing in size, development of any other symptoms and inflammation of the aorta. In such cases, the patient should discuss with the doctor if the risk of surgery is higher than risk of internal bleeding and vice-versa. If the illness is in its last stages and risk of rupture of blood vessel is higher, doctors may advice for an open surgery or an endovascular surgery.
Types of abdominal aortic aneurysm screening
Various types of techniques are used to screen abdominal aortic aneurysm . It is called anuerysmorrhaphy. The most common one is ultrasound or ultra sonography. Ultrasound is a reliable, low cost and speedy technique. The abdomen and aorta is scanned by applying a gel and scanned through a scanner.
Apart from ultra sonography, Arteriogram, CT scan (computed tomography), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and radiography techniques are used to ascertain the presence of ‘AAA’. Ultrasound is the preferred choice for initial examination for ‘AAA’. If infrarenal aorta is found to be involved in reports, MRI or CT scan is then ordered for detailed analysis.
Interpretation of the abdominal aortic aneurysm screening results
If the aneurysm is found to be below 3cm, no further screening is required for at least two years.
If the ‘AAA’ is 3 to 3.9 cm in diameter, patient may be advised to get an examination done within next one to two years
Four to 5.4 cm abdominal aortic aneurysm is at higher risk of growing at a faster rate and eventually rupturing. Therefore, six monthly screening is advisable. Doctors might ask the patient to opt for an immediate surgery.
Aneurysms that are bigger than 5.4 cm necessitate immediate open or endovascular surgery as they may burst anytime.
‘AAA’ screening is often covered under the Medicare part B program. It offers one time ultrasound screening under the “welcome to Medicare” preventive appointment. Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening referral is required from a general physician or a non-physician practitioner. Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening does involve certain risk factors that should be discussed with the doctor prior to taking an appointment for the examination. On basis of several studies conducted on abdominal aortic aneurysm, it can be concluded that abdominal aortic aneurysm screening aids in timely diagnosis of the illness in men between 65 to 75 years of age and helps reduce mortality rate.