Surgical treatment is recommended if AAAs appear to be enlarging rapidly or when there is increased risk of rupture with aneurysms that are more than two inches (5 to 5.5 centimeters) in diameter. In many cases, treatment is accomplished using minimally invasive approaches such as an endovascular stent graft.
How is AAA detected?
Ultrasound examination of the aorta is a highly accurate, painless and completely safe way to detect AAA. Patients who undergo ultrasound screening are half as likely to die of AAAs over a four-year period as those who do not, according to the British Multicentre Aneurysm Screening Study, which involved nearly 60,000 men aged 65 to 74.
What is the cost of AAA screening?
The ultrasound test typically costs approximately $100. More importantly, effective January 2007, Medicare is offering a free, one-time, ultrasound screening benefit to check for AAA in qualified seniors linked to their Welcome to Medicare Physical Exam. Early screening, detection and intervention can save costs associated with spending days or weeks in the intensive care units because of a ruptured AAA.
Who qualifies for the screening under Medicare?
Men who have smoked at least 100 cigarettes during their life, and men and women with a family history of AAA qualify for the one-time screening once they have undergone the exam. The exam must be completed within the first six months of Medicare eligibility. The free exam is only available to new patients entering the Medicare system.
