Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening using non-imaging hand-held ultrasound volume scanner--a pilot study

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Diagnostic Ultrasound
• Vascular Screening

Background:

• Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) is crucial for timely intervention and improved patient outcomes.
• Standard ultrasound (US) is effective for AAA diagnosis but requires specialized training and equipment.
• A need exists for more accessible and user-friendly AAA screening tools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the diagnostic capabilities of a novel hand-held bladder volume indicator (BVI) for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening.
• To compare the effectiveness of BVI measurements against standard ultrasound in identifying AAA.

Main Methods:

• Ninety-four patients referred for atherosclerotic disease underwent screening for AAA using both standard US and the BVI device.
• Aortic volume was measured at six defined points using the BVI, while maximal aortic diameter was measured via US.
• Correlation and agreement between BVI-derived volume and US-derived diameter were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) were diagnosed in 57% of patients via standard ultrasound.
• A strong correlation (r=0.87, p<0.0001) was observed between aortic diameter measured by US and aortic volume measured by BVI.
• The BVI demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy for AAA detection, with 94% sensitivity and 92% negative predictive value.

Conclusions:

• The bladder volume indicator (BVI) is a promising tool for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening.
• BVI offers a potentially valuable and accessible method for identifying patients who require further AAA evaluation.
• Further research may support the integration of BVI into routine vascular screening protocols.