Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening

The Lancashire and South Cumbria Abdominal Aortic Screening Service will soon be inviting patients who identify as male and are turning 65 for a screening appointment. This year's cohort runs from last April 2024 to 31st March 2024, covering the following birth ranges:

Year of Birth:

• 1959: April - December
• 1960: January - March

The NHS Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screen Programme (NAAASP) commenced phased roll-out across England in April 2009. The Programme aims to reduce deaths from abdominal aortic aneurysms through early detection. 

The programme offers screening to men during the year they turn 65.

The programme offers screening at 17 screening locations for gentlemen registered with a GP.

An ultrasound scan of the abdomen is used to detect AAAs. Screening technicians attend specialist NAAASP training sessions and are supported by supervised local training (academic accreditation is awarded and training is CASE endorsed by SoR).

The scan itself is quick, painless and non-invasive and results are given verbally immediately after the scan. Results are also sent in writing to the man’s GP. There are three possible results from the scan:

• Normal: The aorta has a diameter of less than 3cm. No aneurysm has been detected. The man will be informed of his result and will not require any further scans

• Small aneurysm: The aorta is slightly enlarged and has a diameter of between 3 and 4.4 cm. Men with a small aneurysm will be invited to have follow-up scans to monitor the size of the aneurysm.

 - A follow-up scan will be offered in a year and an appointment with a nurse practitioner for lifestyle advice is given

• Medium aneurysm: The aorta is slightly enlarged and has a diameter of between 4.5 and 5.4 cm. Men with a medium aneurysm will be invited to have follow-up scans to monitor the size of the aneurysm.

- A follow-up scan will be offered in three months and an appointment with a nurse practitioner for lifestyle advice is given

• Large aneurysm: The aorta has a diameter of over 5.5 cm. Men with a large aneurysm will be referred promptly to a consultant vascular surgeon to discuss treatment.

Referral will usually be to the nearest appropriate locally agreed vascular unit.