PREVALENCE OF THE ABDOMINAL AORTIC-ANEURY SM - A SONOGRAPHIC SCREENING STUDY

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AA A) in males above 60 years of age. Methods: 1043 males of 60 years of age or older underwent sonographic examinations of the abdominal aorta . All of the candidates had volunteered for the examination, and speci al care was taken to avoid preselection of the candidates. Wherever po ssible, information was obtained on the following risk factors: choles terol level, nicotine, diabetes, insulin and other medication, hyperto nia and cardiac risk. Results: An AAA was diagnosed in 2.59% of the ca ses, while ectasia of the abdominal aorta was detected in 11.89%. The mean diameter of the aneurysms was 39.1 mm. Significant correlations b etween the various risk factors and abnormalities of the abdominal aor ta could be established in patients suffering from angina pectoris (p= 0.004) and from congestive heart failure (p=0.014). Conclusions: AAA i n males above 60 occurs in 2,590 out of 100,000 cases. The most notewo rthy risk factors in the development of AAA are cardiovascular disorde rs.