[Prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysms: a sonographic screening study].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) in males above 60 years of age.


METHODS
1043 males of 60 years of age or older underwent sonographic examinations of the abdominal aorta. All of the candidates had volunteered for the examination, and special care was taken to avoid preselection of the candidates. Wherever possible, information was obtained on the following risk factors: cholesterol level, nicotine, diabetes, insulin and other medication, hypertonia and cardiac risk.


RESULTS
An AAA was diagnosed in 2.59% of the cases, while ectasia of the abdominal aorta was detected in 11.89%. The mean diameter of the aneurysms was 39.1 mm. Significant correlations between the various risk factors and abnormalities of the abdominal aorta could be established in patients suffering from angina pectoris (p = 0.004) and from congestive heart failure (p = 0.014).


CONCLUSIONS
AAA in males above 60 occurs in 2,590 out of 100,000 cases. The most noteworthy risk factors in the development of AAA are cardiovascular disorders.
Dock
W
W
Universitätsklinik für Radiodiagnostik, Abteilung Radiodiagnostik für Chirurgische Fächer.
Turkof
E
E
Maier
A
A
Metz
V
V
Puig
S
S
Mittelböck
M
M
Eibenberger
K
K
Lechner
G
G
Polterauer
P
P
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D001317:Austria / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography
Prävalenz des abdominellen Aortenaneurysmas: Eine sonographische Screeningstudie.