Free Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screenings in Charleston
An AAA is a blood-filled bulge or ballooning of the abdominal aorta, the main artery that carries blood away from the heart to the lower part of the body. Over time, the vessel wall can lose its elasticity, and the force of normal blood pressure can cause the aneurysm to burst unexpectedly. This can lead to severe pain, massive internal bleeding or sudden death.
"More than one million people are living with an undiagnosed AAA(1), and if that aneurysm bursts only 10-25 percent of people will survive(2-5)," said Bruce Elliott, MD, Professor and Chief of Vascular Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina and member of the Society for Vascular Surgery. "By working with the Find the AAAnswers campaign and hosting this free screening, we are hoping to increase public awareness about AAA and empower people to ask the right questions."
Risk factors for AAA include:
- Age - Individuals over the age of 60 are most likely to develop this condition
- Gender - AAAs are between five to ten times more common in men than in women
- Family history of AAA
- Smoking or a history of smoking
- Clogged arteries
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
Screening for AAA is quick and non-invasive, involving a simple ultrasound of the abdomen similar to a pregnancy ultrasound. In less than 15 minutes, the images produced with help a qualified technologist look for swelling along the aorta wall to determine if an AAA is present. If an aneurysm is detected, the ultrasound measures its size, which is a key step in identifying the best treatment option. Small aneurysms are monitored every six to 12 months for changes. Larger aneurysms may require immediate repair.
"Getting screened for AAA is a simple step that can help save lives," said Jeb Hallet, MD, Medical Director of Roper St. Francis Heart and Vascular Center, and member of the Society of Vascular Surgery. "The good news is that when detected prior to rupture, 95 percent of these aneurysms can be managed and successfully treated(6)."
To learn more about AAA or schedule a screening, visit www.FindtheAAAnswers.org.
About the Find the AAAnswers Campaign
Find the AAAnswers is a multi-faceted, public education campaign designed to increase awareness and understanding among consumers, physicians, legislators and policy makers about abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA), and to drive at-risk individuals to be screened. Sponsored by Medtronic, the program is supported by the Find the AAAnswers Coalition, an alliance of concerned medical societies that have come together to provide accurate information about abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) and increase the number of at-risk individuals that get screened. Coalition partners include the Society for Vascular Surgery, the American College of Preventive Medicine and the Society for Vascular Ultrasound. For more information, visit www.FindtheAAAnswers.org.
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References:
1. Society for Vascular Surgery. Protect Yourself From An AAA Rupture.
http://www.vascularweb.org/patients/prevention/aaa_rupture.html.
Accessed August 3, 2009.
2. Mealy K, Salman A. The true incidence of ruptured abdominal aortic
aneurysms. Eur J Vasc Surg 1988;2:405-8.
3. Johansen K, Kohler TR, Nicholls SC, et al. Ruptured abdominal aortic
aneurysm: the Harborview experience. J Vasc Surg 1991;13:240-5;
discussion 245-7.
4. Heikkinen M, Salenius J, Zeitlin R, et al. The fate of AAA patients
referred electively to vascular surgical unit. Scand J Surg 2002;91:345-
52.
5. Brown PM, Pattenden R, Vernooy C, Zelt DT, Gutelius JR. Selective
management of abdominal aortic aneurysms in a prospective measurement
program. J Vasc Surg. 1996;23:213-220.
6. Society for Vascular Surgery. Protect Yourself From An AAA Rupture.
http://www.vascularweb.org/patients/prevention/aaa_rupture.html.
Accessed August 3, 2009.
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