Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening men for AAA http

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening men for AAA http: //aaa. screening. nhs. uk

Background Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm 2% The proportion of deaths in men aged 65 and over that are caused by ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms 6, 000 The number of deaths from ruptured AAA each year 80% The mortality rate from ruptured AAA 0 -6% The post-operative mortality rate for planned AAA surgery in high quality vascular services 95% of ruptured AAA occur in men aged 65 and over http: //aaa. screening. nhs. uk

Case for screening Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm • • AAA is generally asymptomatic • Research* shows that screening men aged 65 will reduce death rate from ruptured AAA by around 50% • UK National Screening Committee assessed evidence and decided screening men aged 65 could deliver benefits at reasonable cost Simple ultrasound scan of abdomen is easiest way to check whether a man has an AAA *The Multi-centre Aneurysm Screening Study (MASS). Lancet 2002 http: //aaa. screening. nhs. uk

The big picture Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm • Phased roll-out of screening programme across England began in Spring 2009 and is due to complete by 2013 • Screening operates separately to the Vascular Risk Management Programme http: //aaa. screening. nhs. uk

Screening process • • • Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm All men in Hereford and Worcester are invited for screening in the year they turn 65 Men over 65 can self-refer Ultrasound scans carried out at suitable locations, eg GP Practices, Community Hospitals Results provided verbally Results sent in writing to men and their GPs http: //aaa. screening. nhs. uk

Possible results Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm • Normal – less than 3 cm – discharged from screening programme • Small aneurysm – 3 to 4. 4 cm – offered appointment with nurse practitioner and yearly surveillance appointments • Small aneurysm – 4. 5 to 5. 4 cm – offered appointment with nurse practitioner and 3 -monthly surveillance • Large aneurysm – 5. 5 cm or above – referred to consultant vascular surgeon within local programme’s defined Vascular Network http: //aaa. screening. nhs. uk

AAA advice Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm It is recommended that patients with AAA should: • Commence/continue aspirin and statin therapy unless there are contraindications • Eat a healthy balanced diet and reduce intake of fatty foods • • • Stop smoking Maintain a healthy weight Take regular exercise http: //aaa. screening. nhs. uk

Further information Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm For men: • • • National leaflets • Tracey Bayliss, AAA Screening Programme Co-ordinator, Tel 01905 733830 & Email: Tracey. Bayilss@worcsacute. nhs. uk Local AAA screening centre http: //aaa. screening. nhs. uk For health professionals: • • Eric Grocott, Programme Director, Mobile 07879 492792. • • Information sheet for Primary Care • NAAASP website, http: //aaa. screening. nhs. uk/professionals Tracey Bayliss, AAA Screening Programme Co-ordinator, Tel 01905 733830 & email: Tracey. Bayliss@worcsacute. nhs. uk Mike Harris, NAAASP Communications Lead, Tel 01452 318844, Mobile 07824 408031 & email: Mike. Harris@nhs. net http: //aaa. screening. nhs. uk