Health technology assessment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening for men
Health Information and Quality Authority
Record ID 32018012822
English
Authors' objectives:
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA or ‘triple A’) is a progressive condition, characterised by the abnormal weakening and widening of the abdominal section of the aorta, the largest blood vessel in the body. An AAA often develops slowly and without symptoms.
The prevalence of AAA is low until approximately 60 years of age and increases steadily thereafter. The most common risk factors for AAA include male sex, increasing age, family history of AAA, smoking, and cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension. There is no specific pharmacological treatment to slow or reverse AAA growth. Optimal management of AAA involves surveillance, management of cardiovascular risk factors, particularly smoking, and timely elective surgical repair, where indicated.
An AAA can be detected using a simple, non-invasive ultrasound scan, which measures the diameter of the abdominal aorta. In the absence of AAA screening, people without symptoms are typically detected incidentally during imaging for other indications. AAA may be detected if patients present with symptoms such as pain or a palpable mass, or as a medical emergency following rupture. A ruptured AAA is a life-threatening event, with a mortality rate of up to 80%, even with emergency surgery.
There is currently no population-based screening programme for AAA in Ireland. Given that AAA typically has no symptoms and the severe consequences of AAA rupture, early detection through screening could reduce AAA-related morbidity and mortality.
Details
Project Status:
Completed
URL for project:
https://www.hiqa.ie/reports-and-publications/health-technology-assessment/hta-screening-aaa-men
Year Published:
2025
URL for published report:
https://www.hiqa.ie/sites/default/files/2025-12/HTA_AAA_screening_report.pdf
Requestor:
National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC)
English language abstract:
An English language summary is available
Publication Type:
Full HTA
Country:
Ireland
MeSH Terms
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal
- Mass Screening
- Male
Keywords
- AAA
- Screening
Contact
Organisation Name:
Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA)
Contact Address:
Health Information and Quality Authority, George's Court, George's Lane,Smithfield, Dublin 7. PH : + 353 (01) 814 7464
Contact Name:
info@hiqa.ie
Contact Email:
info@hiqa.ie
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.