The American Vascular Association Screening Program: Rationale, Method, Guidelines, and Progress

Abstract

Introduction The Society of Vascular Surgery, in partnership with the Society for Vascular Ultrasound (SVU), established a National Vascular Screening Program thru the American Vascular Association (AVA). The program screens for the immediate causes of stroke, abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA), and peripheral vascular disease. Detection of these conditions while the patient still is asymptomatic allows for early management and avoidance of the devastating events they can cause. Methods A quick carotid scan is used for detection of carotid artery disease, an EKG rhythm strip for atrial fibrillation, blood pressure determination for hypertension, a quick abdominal scan for AAA, and ankle/brachial indices for peripheral vascular disease. The SVU position on screening, recommending credentialed technologists and accredited laboratories, is used in the AVA screening program, and reporting only the presence or absence of disease has been recommended. Results The AVA program, and three other programs reported, screened 6,073 seniors. It is estimated that the carotid screenings alone prevented 30 strokes and saved $12,061,400,000 in stroke costs. Conclusion The AVA screening program, with quality ensured by the SVU guidelines, has the potential to prevent a major number of strokes and deaths. Recommendation is for extension of the screening program and for efforts to obtain Medicare funding for the screening.