The ectatic aorta: no benefit in surveillance.
BACKGROUND
To determine if patients presenting with an infrarenal aorta of 25-30 mm in diameter benefit from continued ultrasound surveillance, and if so to identify the frequency required.


METHODS
All patients in the Leicestershire abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening program with an initial AAA diameter of 25-30 mm and who had undergone two or more surveillance scans were identified (345 patients). The primary endpoint was death from AAA rupture, referral for elective repair, or presentation with rupture. This information together with the duration of surveillance was recorded.


RESULTS
A total of 345 patients were followed up for mean of 4.25 years (1-11). At 5 years surveillance, there was a 97% freedom from referral for repair or death from rupture.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients presenting with an AAA diameter 25-30 mm may be safely deferred any further surveillance for a period of 5 years.
Gibbs
David M R
DM
Department of Vascular Surgery, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, United Kingdom. dmrgibbs@yahoo.co.uk
Bown
Matthew J
MJ
Hussey
Gill
G
Naylor
A Ross
AR
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000209:etiology; D018450:Disease Progression; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D004739:England; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D015993:Life Tables; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures