Abdominal Aortic Aneurism Screening

Abdominal aortic aneurism screening is aimed at early detection of:

1. The presence of an aneurysm

2. Rapidly deteriorating (widening) aneurysm

3. Detecting early complications

4. Intervene (planning of elective repair) before it ruptures.

At the point where the aorta enters the abdomen around the level of the eleventh rib, the size of the aorta there is about 2.5cm. This size narrows off progressively to 2.1cm just above the kidneys and 1.5cm just before the aorta divides into two below the level of the umbilicus.

An abdominal aortic aneurysm occurs when the diameter of the aorta increases by one and a half its normal diameter. This is taken to be more than 2.5 cm, since the point where aneurysm commonly occurs (in the aorta, just below the level of the kidney) usually have a diameter of about 1.5 to 2.5 cm. Complications are most likely to occur once an aneurysm is more than 3cm in diameter.

Progression of the disease could go on without any symptoms or pain. The only announcement that one has an abdominal aneurysm may come on only with a rupture. Over 5 out of 10 people with a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm die before they reach the hospital. Those who make it to the hospital, only 1 – 3 out of 10 survive an emergency operation. Without surgery, death is certain.

Clearly, abdominal aortic aneurysm is aimed at preventing this.Other complications of abdominal aortic aneurysm can be seen at the complications section

Who Should Get An Abdominal Aortic Aneurism Screening

The following persons should be get a one-time abdominal aortic aneurism screening

• Any male aged 60 – 75 who have ever smoked more than 100 cigarettes in his lifetime

• Any male above 60 years of age with a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysm

• Any female above 65 years of age who have ever smoked up to 100 cigarettes in her whole life time

• Any female aged above 65 with family history of AAA

The value of abdominal aortic aneurism screening in women is been questioned. This is because rupture of an aneurysm in women occurs after the age of 80 commonly. At this point in life, there would be several other potential causes of death.

The decision to screen a patient or not should be made based on the risk or likelihood of each patient developing this disease.

Risk factors for developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm include:

Stop Smoking



Alcohol



Hypertension



Poor diet



Obesity

Please read more on abdominal aortic aneurysm below:

What is Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Symptoms of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Diagnosis of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Complications of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

Complications of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

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