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Monday, February 14, 2005Men between 65 and 75 who have smoked more than 100 cigarettes in their lifetimes should get one-time screenings for AAAs with ultrasounds, the U. S. Preventive Services Task Force said. About 500 such men would need to be screened to prevent one AAA-related death in the next five years. Not everyone was happy with the recommendation: Some doctors say the task force did not go far enough. The Society of Vascular Surgery recommends AAA screening for all men age 60 to 85, women 60 to 85 with cardiovascular risk factors and anyone older than 50 with a family history of AAA. 'We're a little disappointed about [the task force] short-changing women,' said Dr. William Flinn, vice chairman of the American Vascular Association. Do they really think the task force is short-changing women, or do they think it short-changed them? But men are about four times more likely than women to have AAAs. In women, most deaths from ruptured AAAs occur after age 80, and at that age, 'any benefit of screening for AAA would be minimal,' the Task Force said. ...Hospitals charge as much as $300 for AAA ultrasound screenings. Medicare doesn't pay for them, nor do many health plans. Vascular surgeons are lobbying Congress to require Medicare coverage. Mass screening could cost $50 to $75 per test, Flinn said. The recommendations are here, along with links to their substantial review of the evidence. posted by Sydney on 2/14/2005 07:51:00 AM 0 comments 0 Comments: |
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