Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends an ultrasound to check for abdominal aortic aneurysms for men who are age 65 to 75 and who have ever smoked.¹

The recommendation does not apply to women or nonsmoking men, since they are less likely to have an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Screening is not considered beneficial in these groups.

People who have a strong family history of aortic aneurysms or who have Marfan's syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, or another condition that puts them at risk may benefit from screening. The American Heart Association suggests that screening may benefit men who are at least 60 years old and have a first-degree relative (for example, father or brother) who has had an aneurysm.²

For more information, see the topic Aortic Aneurysm.

Author:	Robin Parks, MS	Last Updated: March 7, 2008
Medical Review:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine David A. Szalay, MD - Vascular Surgery
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