Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are relatively common and can be life threatening. The highest risk of AAA is men who are over 65 years of age and have peripheral atherosclerotic vascular disease. Therefore, it is recommended to perform a one-time ultrasound examination of men.

 

The Canadian Preventive Health Working Group (CTFPHC) is a new screening guide for abdominal aortic aneurysms and recommends approximately 1,244 deaths per year in Canada. One-time ultrasound is recommended for men aged 65 to 80.

 

“Screening men between the ages of 65 and 80 has a positive enough impact on mortality in patients who are at greatest risk for reducing abdominal aortic aneurysm.”

The guide was published in the CMAJ (Journal of the Canadian Medical Association).

 

 

 

AAA is a swelling of the aorta or an aneurysm. The aorta is the main blood vessel that transports blood from the heart to the lower part of the body. In Canada, an estimated 20,000 people are diagnosed with AAA each year.

 

AAA is caused by a weakening of the abdominal aortic wall portion, which swells due to pressure from the bloodstream. An aneurysm may grow and eventually rupture, causing bleeding to die.

 

Risk factors include male, smoking, advanced age, and a family history of AAA.

 

“It is reported that the prevalence of AAA among men aged 65 to 80 is four to five times higher than that of women of the same age,” said Dr. Harminder Singh, member of the working group and chair of the working group of the guide. “Women are less likely to benefit from AAA screening. The benefits of screening men over the age of 80 may be lower than those of young men because the risk of intervention to repair AAA is greater.”