Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm: a hospital based study

ABSTRACT

This hospital based one year study was carried out to find the incidence of abdominal aortic aneurysm in our population and to identify associated risk factors. A total of 410 males and 94 females all above the age of 65 years admitted for various ailments were subjected to ultrasound screening. Twenty two males [5.4%] and one female [1.1%] were found to have an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The overall incidence is 4.6%. Amongst male patients the incidence is 4.8% in the age group 65-70 years, 5.3% in 71-75 years and 6.9% in those above 80 years of age. Those with ischaemic heart disease, hypertension and peripheral vascular disease were particularly at a greater risk of having an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Of all the aneurysms detected 61% were between 3-4 cm in size, 26% between 4-4.9 cm and only 13% were larger than or equal to 5 cm. The incidence of abdominal aortic aneurysms in our studied population is similar to that found elsewhere in the world