Screening For Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms In Women May Save Lives

SOURCE:  Medical News Today

DATE:  November 10, 2007

EXCERPT: "In 9 out of 10 cases, a burst abdominal aortic artery is quickly fatal for its most common victim: elderly males. A new study -- the largest yet performed -- now confirms that women over 65 with a history of smoking or heart disease are also at high risk for an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) -- supporting the notion that they should also receive ultrasound screening to help spot and correct the dangerous condition. ....  [Current] guidelines recommend that screening only be performed -- and reimbursed by Medicare -- for men aged 65 to 75 who have ever smoked.   ....   The Task Force ruled against screening for older women, citing a lack of evidence to support the cost-effectiveness of such a move.   ....  right now, doctors are actually being advised against providing their female patients with the 10-minute ultrasound test that could spot the problem. The noninvasive test itself is relatively inexpensive (about $40) and is often bundled with other diagnostic screens.   ....   [the authors]  hope that this data provides the evidence that the Task Force and others in the field have needed to push for screening of AAA in at-risk females."  more

RELATED PUBMED LINK:

Derubertis BG, Trocciola SM, Ryer EJ, Pieracci FM, McKinsey JF, Faries PL, Kent KC. Abdominal aortic aneurysm in women: prevalence, risk factors, and implications for screening. J Vasc Surg. 2007 Oct;46(4):630-635.