Résumé
Abdominal aortic aneurysm [AAA] is an important cause of preventable death in the elderly. To search for an effective screening framework for the detection of [AAA], prospective screening study involving 200 predominantly elderly patients aged 56 - 75 years by ultrasound for the presence of AAA in 2 phases, in screen I, 110 hypertensive patients [diastolic blood pressure reading> 95 mmHg and systolic blood pressure> 155 mmHg without apparent hypertensive complications] was the only selection criterion, in screen II included 90 hypertensive patients with a systolic blood pressure level higher than 175 mmHg with antihypertensive therapy, and complicated hypertension in the form of cerebral [transient ischemic attacks and/or strokes] cardiovascular [ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure and claudication]; renal [benign and malignant arteriolar nephrosclerosis and renal failure]; retinal [hypertensive retinopathy and sclerotic changes]. The yield of AAAs in screen I and II was [2.7%] and [13.3%], respectively [P < 0.05]. Of the complications of hypertension, only claudication was independently associated with the presence of AAA [relative risk, 5.6, confidence interval, 1.7 - 18.3, P < 0.005]. Screening for AAA is recommended for elderly patients with claudication. Uncomplicated hypertension by itself is not an indication for screening