Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a dilation or “bulging” of the abdominal segment of the aorta, the major artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. While most small AAAs are asymptomatic and pose little danger, larger AAAs have a risk of fatal rupture and are referred for surgical or endovascular repair to prevent this from occurring.
Because of this risk, AAA screening programs have been implemented in the U.S. and around the world to detect these aneurysms earlier at smaller diameters, allowing for surveillance and intervention to reduce rupture incidence. The US Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that men aged 65 to 75 years with any history of smoking undergo a one‐time AAA screening via ultrasonography.
“Since AAA screening programs have been put into effect, most studies have looked at implementation of these USPSTF…
