Longer Surveillance Intervals Might Be Safe in Men with Small Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Professional organizations recommend a wide range of surveillance intervals when an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is found, but most are in the range of 12 to 24 months for AAA diameters of 3.0 to 4.5 cm. To evaluate optimal surveillance intervals, researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 18 studies in which 15,500 patients (90% men) with known AAAs were assessed with serial ultrasounds or computed tomography until their AAAs reached diameters of 5.5 cm or ruptured.

Growth rate increased with AAA diameter: In men, the mean annual growth rate of a 3.0-cm AAA was 1.3 mm, compared with 3.6 mm for a 5.0-cm AAA. Estimated times for AAAs to reach 5.5 cm or to rupture generally were longer than recommended screening intervals. For example, it wou…