DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF ABDOMINAL AORTIC-ANEURYSMS

Abdominal aortic aneurysms occur in 5 to 7 percent of people over age 60 in the United States. An aneurysm is defined as a permanent localiz ed dilatation of an artery, with an increase in diameter of greater th an 1.5 times its normal diameter. Abdominal aortic aneurysms may be ma nifested by catastrophic rupture, signs of pressure on other viscera o r an embolism originating in the aneurysmal wall, but most cases are a symptomatic. The diagnosis is often made by physical examination of th e abdomen, which reveals a pulsatile mass left of the midline, between the xyphoid process and the umbilicus. The diagnosis may be confirmed by B-mode ultrasound. Ultrasound screening should be considered for i ndividuals at risk for abdominal aortic aneurysms. This group includes individuals over age 60 who smoke, have hypertension or have vascular disease. Elective surgical intervention is indicated for most patient s with abdominal aortic aneurysms greater than 5 cm in diameter to pre vent rupture and death. Smaller abdominal aortic aneurysms should be m onitored by regular ultrasound measurements. Screening and identificat ion of abdominal aortic aneurysms by primary care physicians can have a significant impact on patient survival.