Screening men for AAA Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Background 2% The proportion of deaths in men aged 65 and over that are caused by ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms 6,000 The number of deaths from ruptured AAA each year 80% The mortality rate from ruptured AAA 0-6% The post-operative mortality rate for planned AAA surgery in high quality vascular services 95% of ruptured AAA occur in men aged 65 and over Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Case for screening AAA is generally asymptomatic Simple ultrasound scan of abdomen is easiest way to check whether a man has an AAA Research* shows that screening men aged 65 will reduce death rate from ruptured AAA by around 50% UK National Screening Committee assessed evidence and decided screening men aged 65 could deliver benefits at reasonable cost *The Multi-centre Aneurysm Screening Study (MASS). Lancet 2002 Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

The big picture Phased roll-out of screening programme across England began in Spring 2009 and is due to complete by 2013 Screening operates separately to the Vascular Risk Management Programme Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Screening process All men in Hereford and Worcester are invited for screening in the year they turn 65 Men over 65 can self-refer Ultrasound scans carried out at suitable locations, eg GP Practices, Community Hospitals Results provided verbally Results sent in writing to men and their GPs Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Possible results Normal – less than 3cm – discharged from screening programme Small aneurysm – 3 to 4.4cm – offered appointment with nurse practitioner and yearly surveillance appointments Small aneurysm – 4.5 to 5.4cm – offered appointment with nurse practitioner and 3-monthly surveillance Large aneurysm – 5.5cm or above – referred to consultant vascular surgeon within local programme’s defined Vascular Network Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

AAA advice It is recommended that patients with AAA should: Commence/continue aspirin and statin therapy unless there are contraindications Eat a healthy balanced diet and reduce intake of fatty foods Stop smoking Maintain a healthy weight Take regular exercise Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Further information For men: National leaflets Local AAA screening centre Tracey Bayliss, AAA Screening Programme Co-ordinator, Tel & For health professionals: Eric Grocott, Programme Director, Mobile Tracey Bayliss, AAA Screening Programme Co-ordinator, Tel & Information sheet for Primary Care Mike Harris, NAAASP Communications Lead, Tel , Mobile & NAAASP website, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm