Ultrasound screening of families with abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Recent observations suggest that first degree relatives of patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) are also at risk for the development of this disorder. The first degree relatives of 130 adults with known AAA were invited to attend for an ultrasound examination. Fifty-two eligible relatives (mean age 53 years, range 41-73) from 38 families underwent sonographic screening. Using standard ultrasound criteria no participants were identified with an asymptomatic AAA. Thus, ultrasound of families of patients with AAA has a low yield and may not be useful for screening purposes.