Which patient profile is at highest risk for an abdominal aortic aneurysm?

Which patient profile is at highest risk for an abdominal aortic aneurysm?

• A. Women under 30
• B. African American men over 70
• C. White men over 65 with smoking history
• D. Children with congenital anomalies

Answer: (C)

Abdominal aortic aneurysm risk rises with age and is much higher in men, with smoking being the strongest modifiable risk factor. The combination of being older than about 65, male, and having a smoking history creates the highest likelihood of an AAA. White ethnicity also shows higher observed risk in many studies, which can add to the risk profile in this scenario. Young women have a very low risk; African American men over 70 do have risk but not as pronounced as older white male smokers; and children with congenital anomalies are not typical AAA candidates. So the profile of an older man who has smoked best represents the highest risk.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm risk rises with age and is much higher in men, with smoking being the strongest modifiable risk factor. The combination of being older than about 65, male, and having a smoking history creates the highest likelihood of an AAA. White ethnicity also shows higher observed risk in many studies, which can add to the risk profile in this scenario.

Young women have a very low risk; African American men over 70 do have risk but not as pronounced as older white male smokers; and children with congenital anomalies are not typical AAA candidates. So the profile of an older man who has smoked best represents the highest risk.