What is the AAA screening recommendation?

• A. One-time abdominal ultrasound for men aged 65-75 who have ever smoked
• B. Annual ultrasound for all men over 65
• C. One-time CT scan for men aged 50-70 who have never smoked
• D. Start screening at 40 with ultrasound every 5 years

Answer: (A)

Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm is focused on people at higher risk, especially men who have smoked and are in the 65–75 age range. The best answer is a one-time abdominal ultrasound for men aged 65 to 75 who have ever smoked. This approach is supported because ultrasound is a safe, inexpensive test that accurately detects aneurysms large enough to warrant closer monitoring or elective repair, and doing it one time in that high‑risk group reduces aneurysm-related deaths. Other options aren’t aligned with the evidence: screening all men over 65 annually isn’t supported by benefits that outweigh harms; starting at age 40 with ultrasound would expose many low‑risk individuals to unnecessary testing; and using a CT scan isn’t used for population screening due to radiation, cost, and limited added value in this context.