Screening frequency for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in eligible male patients:
Men aged 65 are invited to a one-time NHS AAA screening ultrasound. If the initial scan shows an aortic diameter less than 3.0 cm, no further routine screening is recommended. Men with an aortic diameter between 3.0 cm and 4.4 cm are offered surveillance scans every 12 months. Those with an aortic diameter between 4.5 cm and 5.4 cm are offered surveillance scans every 3 months to monitor for growth. Men with an AAA 5.5 cm or larger are referred for consideration of surgical repair. This surveillance schedule aligns with the NHS AAA screening programme and NICE recommendations for monitoring AAA size and risk of rupture.
Men aged 66 or over who have not been screened should be informed about the NHS AAA screening programme and encouraged to self-refer, especially if they have risk factors such as smoking history, hypertension, or family history of AAA.