Ultrasound screening in the management of abdominal aortic aneurysms.
Planned surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysms carries a low mortality (0-2%). Ultrasound examination of the abdomen can identify the aorta in 92% of patients. We have undertaken a study of the asymptomatic population based on a general practice (Family Doctor) register. The long term aims of this survey will be to identify a high risk group in which surgery is indicated, a low risk group were surgery can be avoided and a group of aneurysms in whom emergency surgery is contra-indicated. Arguments are put forward against improved treatment of aneurysms as emergencies as a way of improving overall survival and against the treatment of all cases detected by ultrasound as planned procedures. The current methods of selecting high risk cases are criticised and a possible method of selecting cases for planned surgery, based on screening and ultrasound follow-up is put forward. The advantages and disadvantages of an ultrasound screening programme are discussed.
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D000368:Aged; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000175:diagnosis; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012306:Risk; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000191:economics