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Published on: September 8, 2023
Abdominal aortic aneurysm--to screen or not to screen
D Bergqvist1, M Björck, A Wanhainen
1Department of Surgical Sciences, Section of Surgery, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
Summary
Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms is suitable for 65-year-old males, but more data is needed for females. Patient selection for treatment relies heavily on aneurysm size, potentially leading to unnecessary interventions.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Public Health Screening
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening programs aim to reduce mortality through early detection.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) established ten criteria for evaluating the suitability of screening programs.
- Current screening protocols for AAA primarily focus on specific demographic groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the applicability of WHO criteria for abdominal aortic aneurysm screening.
- To assess the current evidence base for AAA screening in different populations.
- To identify areas requiring further research to optimize AAA screening strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review and analysis of the ten WHO criteria in the context of abdominal aortic aneurysm screening.
- Evaluation of existing data regarding AAA prevalence and risk factors in male and female populations.
- Assessment of current patient selection criteria for AAA treatment based on aneurysmal diameter.
Main Results:
- Most WHO criteria for initiating an AAA screening program are met for the 65-year-old male population.
- There is a significant lack of knowledge and data regarding AAA screening applicability and effectiveness in females.
- Aneurysmal diameter remains the primary determinant for treatment selection, which may lead to overtreatment in some cases.
Conclusions:
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening is well-supported for 65-year-old males based on WHO criteria.
- Further research is crucial to establish effective AAA screening protocols for females.
- Prioritizing research into the pathophysiology of aneurysm expansion and rupture is essential to refine treatment selection and avoid unnecessary interventions.
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