Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening Programme - NHS Grampian, NHS Orkney & NHS Shetland Collaborative

This comprehensive report provides information on the Grampian, Orkney and Shetland Collaborative Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening Programme.

 

The purpose of the report is to demonstrate the accomplishments by the Grampian, Orkney and Shetland AAA Screening Programme Collaborative since its implementation date of 3 October 2012 (this date defines the cohort of men eligible for screening) to 31 March 2017.

 

The Collaborative covers a large geographical and demographic area with populations of approx 584,000 (Grampian), 21,000 (Orkney) and 23,000 (Shetland), with the Grampian team travelling to Orkney on a quarterly basis to scan eligible participants and the Shetland team scanning their own eligible participants.

 

The aim of the programme is to detect AAA's early and monitor or treat them. This greatly reduces the chance of an aneurysm rupturing and causing serious problems.

 

Aneurysms are commonest in men, and are associated with smoking, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. AAA's are often asymptomatic and the first sign of any problem will be when they rupture, which is often fatal.

 

An invitation to attend for screening is sent to all men aged 65 and men aged 66 and over can self-refer. A scan will be taken using a portable ultrasound machine to measure the diameter of the aorta, the results of which are available to the participant at the point of testing. Depending on the result will dictate the pathway to be followed.