Does a normal screening ultrasound of the abdominal aorta reduce the likelihood of rupture in emergency department patients?

摘要

Introduction: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) development is a multifactorial process that is more prevalent among people >= 65 years of age. Major risk factors are obesity, male sex, history of smoking (at least 100 cigarettes in a person's lifetime), and history of AAA in a first-degree relative. The United States Preventative Task Force has recommended a one-time ultrasound screening for men aged 65-75 years. Based on studies, negative results on a single ultrasound examination around the age of 65 years appear to virtually exclude the risk for future AAA rupture or death. While ultrasonography (US) is the confirmatory study of choice, computed tomography (CT) can also be used in the diagnosis of AAA. The goal of this study is to determine if AAA rupture can reliably be excluded in individuals with abdominal pain who have had a normal caliber aorta on CT or US after the age of 65 years.