Should the frequency of surveillance for small abdominal aortic aneurysms be reduced?

Abstract

Different national screening programmes use a variety of surveillance intervals for patients identified with small abdominal aortic aneurysm. An individual patient meta-analysis of >15000 persons with small aneurysm has provided a strong scientific basis for safe surveillance frequency. In many screening programmes the number of surveillance visits for men could be reduced by up to half. The higher rate of aneurysm rupture in women leads to different recommendation for women.

Keywords: Abdominal aortic aneurysm; Screening; Surveillance.