normal measurements of abdominal aortic diameters in the Saudi population

ABSTRACT

To identify normal aortic diameters in elderly Saudi people aged 60-80 years. A prospective screening programme by ultrasound for abdominal aortic aneurysm in elderly people carried out in the Jeddah area, Saudi Arabia. The subjects were 392 consecutive candidates attending a clinic for other reasons. Aortic diameter at suprarenal [just above origin of renal artery] mid-aorta and just above bifurcation were measured ultrasonologically by a qualified radiologist. Average mean for whole group was 1.80 +/- 0.02 SD; males have wider aorta [mean= 1.82 cm +/- 0.25 SD] compared with female [mean=1.71 cm +/- 0.25SD] wider diameters were also noted in smokers [p value=0.05]. Overall Saudi aortic diameter are smaller than European diameters