Screening for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

The USPSTF continues to recommend screening primarily in 65- to 75-year-old men who have ever smoked.

Sponsoring Organization: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)

Target Audience: Primary care clinicians

Background

Prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs; defined by an aortic diameter of ≥3.0 cm) in adults older than 50 is as high as 7% in men and 1% in women. In 2005, the USPSTF recommended one-time screening by ultrasonography in 65- to 75-year-old men who had ever smoked (defined as having ever smoked ≥100 cigarettes) and recommended against routine screening in women (NEJM JW Gen Med Feb 18 2005). The USPSTF now has updated its recommendations.

Key Points

—Risk factors: Older age; positive smoking history; having a first-degree relative with AAA; and having a history of vascular aneurysms, coronary artery disease, cerebrovasc…

Reviewing Author

Jamaluddin Moloo, MD, MPH

Disclosures

Grant / Research supportColorado Health Foundation