BACKGROUND: Infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a vascular disease requiring continuous attention both in terms of screening and therapeutic improvement. Infrarenal AAA is a major condition because of its high mortality rate due to AAA rupture, as opposite to the low mortality rate related to elective surgical repair conducted in specialized facilities. In the metropolitan area of Salvador there are no data concerning the identification of patients with infrarenal AAA. Such lack of information prompted this study. OBJECTIVE: (1) to determine the prevalence of infrarenal AAA in patients with risk factors; (2) to identify risk factors; and (3) to determine whether the population at risk should be routinely screened. METHODS: In a study for AAA screening conducted by the Department of Vascular Surgery of Hospital Geral Roberto Santos and Hospital Geral de Camaçari from September 2008 to October 2009, 1,350 individuals aged 50 years or older with risk factors for aortic aneurysm were selected. Screening included completion of protocol and performance of color Doppler ultrasound. RESULTS: AAA prevalence in this sample was 3.9%. The most frequent risk factors associated with aneurysm were mean age of 72 years, male gender, smoking, and patients with peripheral obstructive arterial disease, coronary failure, and chronic obstructive lung disease. AAA screening should be considered in men aged over 65 years, mainly when one of these risk factors are present.
abdominal aortic aneurysm; aortic aneurysm; screening programs
