title: Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening during transthoracic echocardiography in an unselected population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to investigate the echocardiographic prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in an unselected group of patients referred for regular transthoracic echocardiography (TTE).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospectively, during a 3-month period, a limited ultrasound examination of the infrarenal aorta was performed. AAA was defined as a diameter of 30 mm or more.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The abdominal aorta could be visualized in 742 patients. The prevalence of AAA was 4.6%. AAA prevalence increased with age, especially in men. In 34 patients AAA was unknown and aortic diameters exceeded 50 mm in 4 patients. Two underwent elective but urgent operation. Patients with AAA were older and had an increased ascending aorta diameter, larger left ventricular dimensions, higher left ventricular mass index, and lower ejection fraction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AAA is prevalent in patients referred for regular TTE. Routine rapid screening of the abdominal aorta during TTE is beneficial and should, therefore, be part of a standard TTE examination for patients older then 50 years.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Maastricht, The Netherlands. b.bekkers@cardio.azm.nl
authors.forename: Sebastiaan C A M
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Bekkers
authors.forename: Jos H M
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Habets
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Cheriex
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palmans
authors.forename: Yigal
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Leo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hofstra
authors.forename: Harry J G M
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Crijns
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D014463:Ultrasonography