Prevalence Of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm In Patients With High Cardiovascular Risk

Background: To determine the prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) (arterial diameter >= 30 mm), in patients with high or very high cardiovascular risk (CVR) and to evaluate their clinical features.Patients and methods: Observational, cross-sectional and multicentric study conducted in Spanish Internal Medicine Services. We enrolled men with age > 55 years and women > 65 years who had a high or very high CVR.Results: The study included 659 patients. The prevalence of AM was 8% (53 patients). 76.9% were mate with a mean age of 71 +/- 8.7 years. The multivariate analysis showed an association between AAA and age (OR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.02-1.1; P<.01), mate sex (OR: 5.6; 95% CI: 1.6-18.8; P=.01), active smoking (OR: 3.22; 95% CI: 1.16-8.93; P=.024) and peripheral arterial disease (OR: 3.51; 95% CI: 1.73-7.09; P<.01). Diabetes mellitus was an independent protective factor (OR: 0.41; 95% CI: 0.22-0.78; P=.06). Those with subaneurysmal dilatation of the abdominal aorta (diameter 25-29.9 mm) presented similar features as patients with AAA.Conclusions: The prevalence of AAA in patients with high CVR is high. Ultrasound screening can be performed by general practitioners. Men > 65 years with elevated CVR could benefit, particularly in the presence of active smoking or peripheral arterial disease. (C) 2018 Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. and Sociedad Espanola de Medicina Interna (SEMI). All rights reserved.