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Published on: August 2, 2024
Aortic aneurysms - screening, surveillance and referral
Domenic Robinson1, Barend Mees, Hence Verhagen
1Department of Vascular Surgery, Austin Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria. domenicrobinson@gmail.com
Insights
Screening older men for aortic aneurysms can reduce mortality. Early detection and management, including risk factor modification and timely surgical referral, are crucial for preventing rupture and improving outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Geriatric Medicine
- Cardiovascular Disease
Background:
- Aortic aneurysms are prevalent in the elderly.
- Aneurysm rupture is a life-threatening emergency with high mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- Review current literature on aortic aneurysmal disease.
- Outline referral thresholds, surveillance, and treatment options.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of aortic aneurysmal disease.
- Analysis of current guidelines and treatment modalities.
Main Results:
- Aortic aneurysm screening in men over 65 reduces mortality.
- No formal screening guidelines currently exist in Australia.
- Cardiovascular risks are elevated in patients with aortic aneurysms.
Conclusions:
- Small aneurysms require surveillance and risk factor management.
- Large or symptomatic aneurysms necessitate prompt surgical consultation.
- Endovascular stent grafts offer minimally invasive treatment with lower complication rates.
Background:
Aortic aneurysms are a common finding in elderly patients. Rupture of an aortic aneurysm is a catastrophic event associated with a very high mortality.
Objective:
To review the current literature on aortic aneurysmal disease, including the recommended referral threshold, surveillance guidelines and treatment options.
Discussion:
Screening of men aged 65 years and over has been shown to reduce aneurysm related mortality, however, no formal screening guidelines exist in Australia. In addition to the risk of aneurysm expansion and rupture, patients are at increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Small aneurysms should be managed with surveillance and cardiovascular risk factor modification. Large aneurysms should be referred promptly to a vascular surgeon for assessment and repair. Symptomatic and ruptured aneurysms require emergency assessment and treatment. Advances in endovascular techniques enable most patients with aortic aneurysms to be treated with minimally invasive stent grafts, which have lower perioperative complication rates than open repair.
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