Definition and management of abdominal aortic aneurysms: results from a Canadian survey.
OBJECTIVE
To assess how vascular surgeons define and manage asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) 5.4 cm in diameter or smaller.


METHODS
Descriptive survey.


METHODS
All provinces and territories of Canada.


METHODS
One hundred and ninety-one vascular surgeons.


METHODS
A 12-item questionnaire sent in two mailings to all vascular surgeons who were members of the Canadian Society for Vascular Surgery.


METHODS
Definition and routine management of asymptomatic AAAs assessment of aneurysm size before elective surgery and basic personal data.


RESULTS
One hundred and sixty-seven (87%) vascular surgeons responded to the mailings; 149 (78%) completed the questionnaire. The majority of respondents were experienced (78%), academic (70%) vascular surgeons. AAAs were defined in any one of four ways. There was notable consistency regarding the size range in which vascular surgeons seriously considered elective surgical repair of small aneurysms.


CONCLUSIONS
Standards need to be developed to define what constitutes a small AAA if meaningful research on small aneurysms is to be conducted.
Moher
D
D
Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Loeb Medical Research Institute, Ottawa Civic Hospital, Ont.
Cole
C W
CW
Hill
G B
GB
D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D002170:Canada; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D012955:Societies, Medical; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures