Feasibility and accuracy of a rapid evaluation of the abdominal aorta during routine transthoracic echocardiography

BACKGROUND: Mass screening for occult abdominal aortic aneurysm is not realistic for the low prevalence of this condition in the general population. Screening in a high-risk population, especially during standard echocardiographic examination, could be more cost-effective than a separate screening program. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of a rapid evaluation (examination arbitrary time-limit of 2 min) of the abdominal aorta at the end of a routine transthoracic echocardiographic examination. METHODS: One hundred and eighty-one male patients (average age 61 years, range 45-79 years) were studied. A subgroup of 83 patients was also blindly examined by a radiologist for diagnostic accuracy evaluation. RESULTS: Abdominal aortic aneurysm was defined as an aortic diameter enlargement > or = 3.0 cm. Sixteen patients were excluded due to suboptimal aortic wall imaging or to examination lasting > 2 min (feasibility 91%). An occult aneurysm was found in 7 patients (3.8%). As regards the presence/absence of aneurysms in the subgroup of patients undergoing double examination, sensitivity and specificity were 80 and 100% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Rapid evaluation of the abdominal aorta for aortic screening during routine echocardiography is highly feasible and accurate without any significant prolongation of the examination time and should therefore be routinely performed during standard examination.