Prevalence of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are localized, blood-filled dilations (balloon-like bulges) of the aorta. Approximately 90% of abdominal aortic aneurysms occur infrarenally (1). It is most commonly asymptomatic and can be detected randomly during screening. Its prevalence rate in men aged 65 years and more is 5 - 8% (3).

The risk factors for the occurrence of AAA are male gender, advanced age, history of atherosclerosis, cigarette smoking and 1st degree family history (4).

The prevalence rate is higher in patients with history of atherosclerosis of peripheral blood vessels and coronary arteries (5 - 7). As the size of an aneurysm increases, there is an increased risk of rupture, which can result in severe hemorrhage and death. The death rate due to rupture in the elderly population is 90% (3, 8). Elective surgical repair of the abdominal aortic aneurysm is associated with a death rate of 8% (9). Therefore, the importance of the screening of populations at elevated risk is obvious (5 - 7, 10 -14). Among imaging techniques, ultrasonographic screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm is technically simple, accurate and devoid of ionizing radiation. Ultrasonographic diagnosis of AAA is associated with a major reduction in the incidence of abdominal aortic aneurysm-related mortality (15 - 19). The sensitivity of ultrasonographic screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm is about 100% (19). The most common clinical indications for ultrasonographic screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm are a palpable abdominal mass, hemodynamic impairment of aortic system in lower extremities, pain in the chest, lower back or scrotum, and abdominal bruits.

Ultrasonography is used to screen for aneurysms when the outer aortic diameter is more than 3 cm (normal diameter of the aorta is around 2 cm (20). There is disagreement regarding the follow-up of patients after detection of abdominal aortic aneurysm in diameter of 2.6 cm - 2.9 cm (22). Random detection of abdominal aortic aneurysm where the aortic diameter is 2.6 cm, in men aged 65 years and more, have been associated with no risk for its future significant development (21). Ultrasonographic evaluation of abdominal aorta is a challenge for clinicians because of the need for the accurate detection of aortic diameter (20).