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February 3, 2022

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Aortic Aneurysm | cdc.gov, 2021):

  • In 2019, 9,904 deaths in 2019 were attributed to aortic aneurysms or aortic dissections.
  • An estimated 75% of all abdominal aneurysm can be linked to a history of smoking.

Screening can help detect an abdominal aneurysm so treatment can be started. Medicare covers Ultrasound Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening for beneficiaries that qualify.

Signs and Symptoms

  • Individuals with an abdominal aortic aneurysm frequently do not have any symptoms. This can make diagnosis more difficult. As the size of the abdominal aortic aneurysm increases, patients may present with deep, piercing pain of the abdomen and/or back as well as pulsations of the abdomen near the navel. It is imperative that patients seek immediate medical attention if pain develops suddenly or becomes severe.
  • Complications from an abdominal aortic aneurysm include aortic dissection and ruptured aneurysm.

Screening and How is it diagnosed

  • For those patients who are at risk for an abdominal aortic aneurysm, the Medicare-covered preventive screening test used is the Ultrasound Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening.
    • It is covered once in a patient's lifetime.
  • Tests used to detect an abdominal aortic aneurysm include abdominal ultrasound, abdominal CT scan, and abdominal MRI.

Treatment

  • Treatment is predicated on the size and rate of growth of the abdominal aortic aneurysm. The main objective of treatment is to prevent the rupture of the abdominal aortic aneurysm

Prevention

  • Encourage your patients to schedule annual wellness visits and health screenings.
    • Medicare covers Ultrasound Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening for those patients that qualify. Discuss this Medicare covered benefits with your patients and encourage them to enroll if applicable.
    • Encourage your patients to quit smoking. Instruct your patients on the effects of smoking and the link between smoking and risk for abdominal aortic aneurysms. Medicare covers counseling to prevent tobacco use for those patients that qualify. Discuss this Medicare covered benefit with your patients and encourage them to enroll.
  • Discuss with your patients about the warning signs and symptoms of an abdominal aortic aneurysm and what they should do if they experience these signs or symptoms.
  • Educate your patients on healthy habits such as exercising, eating a well-balanced diet including foods that are low in salt, fat, and cholesterol, lowering stress levels, controlling weight (or losing weight if needed), and getting enough sleep.
  • Monitor your patients' blood pressure levels. Manage and treat accordingly. Educate your patients about the relationship between elevated blood pressure and risk for abdominal aortic aneurysms .
  • Monitor your patients' cholesterol levels. Manage and treat accordingly. Educate your patients about the relationship between elevated cholesterol levels and risk for abdominal aortic aneurysms.
  • If your patients are currently on cardiovascular, antihypertensive, and/or cholesterol-lowering  medications, review the importance of regularly taking medications. Address any questions they may have regarding the medications prescribed.

To learn more about Medicare-covered services, visit CMS Preventive ServicesExternal website:

For More Information

References

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