Abdominal
Aortic Aneurysm Screening & Treatment Options
Screening
Who should be screened?
According to the SIR Legs for Life Program, the following patient groups
should be screened:
- Male, over the age of 60 and have a history of smoking or a family
history of AAA
- Female, over the age of 60 and have a history of smoking and a family
history of AAA
What are the risk factors most commonly associated with AAAs?
- Men over 60- Four times as many men as women get AAAs. But 20% of
AAAs do occur in women
- Smokers-Current smokers are seven times more likely to develop AAAs
than non-smokers. Former smokers are three times more likely.
- Family history- 20% of AAA sufferers have a relative with the condition.
If a relative died of an AAA rupture, your risk is increased
Other risk factors include:
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Atherosclerosis
- Cardiovascular disease
Why should I be Screened for possible Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm?
In the majority of patients with AAA there are no symptoms and the AAA goes
undetected.
Once detected, however AAAs can be monitored and treated effectively.
The risks of treating a AAA outweigh the risks of sudden death in the above
high risk groups particularly with new endovascular treatment options.
The screening for AAA is non-invasive and painless
How can I get screened?
Call the Toronto Endovascular Centre at 416-925-2676
Arrange to bring a requisition form for ultrasound from your family physician
at the time of your appointment at The Toronto Endovascular Centre
OR
Print out the following requisition; have your Family Doctor fill it in
and bring it for your screening/ultrasound appointment at the Toronto Endovascular
Centre
To print requisition form, click
here
Where Can I get Screened?
Currently Toronto Endovascular Centre is the only Legs for Life Site In
Canada performing Abdominal Aortic Screening at 131 Hazelton Avenue, Ste 102
, Toronto .
[view
map]
Is there any Cost for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening?
There is no cost for screening in the appropriate patient groups of:
- Male, over the age of 60 and have a history of smoking or a family
history of AAA
- Female, over the age of 60 and have a history of smoking and a family
history of AAA
The above patient groups must bring in a ultrasound requisition filled in
by their Family Doctor.
What does screening involve?
- Complete a questionnaire to determine your risk factors
- A limited abdominal and pelvic ultrasound which takes 10 minutes and
is a non-invasive test with virtually no complications
- A preliminary report will be issued to you at the time of screening,
and a report will be sent to your family doctor with the recommendations
according to the literature.
What are the References for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening?
Adams D, Tulloh B, Galloway S, et al. Familial abdominal aortic aneurysm:
prevalence and implications for screening. Eur J Vase Surg 1993;7(6):709-12.
Dryjski M, Driscoll J, Blair R, McGurrin M, Dagher F, Ceraolo M, et al.
The small abdominal aortic aneurysm: the eternal dilemma. J Cardiovase
Surg 1994;35:95-100.
Frame P, Fryback D, Patterson C. Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm
in men ages 60 to 80 years: a cost-effectiveness analysis. Ann Intern
Med 1993; 119:411-416.
Hak E, Balm R, Eikelboom B, Akkersdijk, van der Graaf Y. Abdominal aortic
aneurysm screening: an epidemiological point of view. Eur J Vase
Endovase Surg 1996; 11 :270-78.
Khoo D, Ashton H, Scott R. Is screening once at age 65 an effective method
for detection of abdominal aortic aneurysms? J Med Screening 1994;
1 :223-25.
Kyriakides C, Byrne J, Green S, Hulton N. Screening of abdominal aortic
aneurysm: a pragmatic approach. Ann R Coli Surg
Engl 2000;82:59-63.
Law M. Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms. Brit Med Bull 1998;54(4)
:903-13.
Lederle F, Johnson G, Wilson S, Chute E, et al. The aneurysm detection and
management study screening program: validation cohort and final results. Areh
Intern Med 2000; 160: 1425-30.
Lindholt J, Vammen S, Juul S, Henneberg E, Fasting H. The validity of ultrasonographic
scanning as screening method for abdominal aortic aneurysm. Eur J Vasc Endovasc
Surg 1999; 17:472-75.Morris G, Hubbard C, Quick C. An abdominal aortic aneurysm
screening programme for all males over the age of 50. Eur J Vase
Surg 1994;8: 156-60.
Salo J, Soisalon-Soininen S, Bondestam S, Mattila P. Familial occurrence
of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Ann Intern Med 1999;130(8):637-42..
St. Leger A, Spencely M, McCollum C, Mossa M. Screening for abdominal aortic
aneurysm: a computer assisted cost-utility analysis. Eur J Vase Surg 1996;
11: 183-190.
Scott R, Wilson N, Ashton H, Kay D. Influence of screening on the incidence
of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms: 5-year results of a randomized controlled
study. Brit J Surg 1995;82: 1 066-70.
Shapira 0, Pasik S, Wassermann J, Barzilai N, Mashiah A. Ultrasound screening
for abdominal aortic aneurysms in patients with atherosclerotic Peripheral
Arterial Disease. J Cardiovase Surg 1990;31 : 170-2.
Smith F, Grimshaw G, Paterson I, Shearman C, Hamer J. Ultrasonographic screening
for abdominal aortic aneurysm in an urban community. Brit J Surg 1994
March;81 (3):472.
Vasquez C, Sakalihasan N, D'Harcour J, Limet R. Routine ultrasound screening
for abdominal aortic aneurysm among 65- and 75-year old men in a city of 200,000
inhabitants. Ann Vase Surg 1998; 12(6):544-549.
ilmink A, Quick C. Epidemiology and potential for prevention of abdominal
aortic aneurysm. BritJ Surg 1998;85:155-162.
|