Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening using non-imaging hand-held ultrasound volume scanner--a pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) is cost-effective and timely repair improves outcome. Using standard ultrasound (US) an AAA can be accurately diagnosed or ruled-out. However, this requires training and bulk equipment.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the diagnostic potential of a new hand-held ultrasound bladder volume indicator (BVI) in the setting of AAA screening.


METHODS
In total, 94 patients (66 +/- 14 years, 67 men) referred for atherosclerotic disease were screened for the presence of AAA (diameter > 30 mm using US). All patients underwent both examinations, with US and BVI. Using the BVI, aortic volume was measured at 6 pre-defined points. Maximal diameters (US) and volumes (BVI) were used for analyses.


RESULTS
In 54 (57%) patients an AAA was diagnosed using US. The aortic diameter by US correlated closely with aortic volume by BVI (r = 0.87, p < 0.0001). Using a cut-off value of > or = 50 ml for the presence of AAA by BVI, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of BVI in detection of AAA were 94%, 82%, 88% and 92%, respectively. The agreement between the two methods was 89%, kappa 0.78.


CONCLUSIONS
The bladder volume indicator is a promising tool in screening patients for AAA.
Vidakovic
R
R
Department of Cardiology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Schouten
O
O
Feringa
H H H
HH
Dunkelgrun
M
M
Karagiannis
S E
SE
Merks
E
E
Bosch
J
J
Bom
N
N
Neskovic
A N
AN
Bax
J J
JJ
Poldermans
D
D
D000368:Aged; D001011:Aorta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000295:instrumentation*