Medical Benefits of a Peripheral Vascular Screening Program

We present preliminary results and analysis of a screening program that has been offered at a community-based hospital since July 2004. The program includes a quick carotid ultrasound study, abdominal aortic ultrasound imaging, and measurement of bilateral ankle/brachial indices (ABI). From July 2004 through January 2006, 1,719 patients were screened, including 1,094 (64%) women and 652 (36%) men. The majority of carotid screens were normal; however, 28.9% (497 patients) had 15-40% stenosis, 1.4% (24 patients) had 40-60% stenosis, and 0.3% (six patients) had >60% stenosis. Sixteen patients (1%) had infrarenal aortic dilation (>3 cm), and an abnormal ABI (<0.90) was detected in at least one limb in 100 patients (5.8%). No procedures resulted from carotid screening; however, two patients underwent urgent repair for 9.3 and 7.5 cm diameter abdominal aortic aneurysms. Abnormal ABI in conjunction with symptoms led to arteriography in three patients, one of whom had iliac stent deployment. This nonselective vascular screening program attracted many new patients into the health-care system. The open/endovascular procedure yield was low, but early disease detection was significant, causing numerous patients to be referred for additional testing and risk factor modification programs. These preliminary data suggest that community-based vascular screening programs play a key role in early vascular disease detection and provide the potential for prevention of disease progression while, at the same time, building sustainable business for hospitals and physicians.