Czechia has introduced a pilot screening programme to detect abdominal aortic aneurysms at an early stage, following recommendations from European experts.

The new screening programme, which began on 1 January, targets men between the ages of 65 and 67. Its objectives are to detect abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) early, save lives, and collect essential data to improve national health statistics. Current information on many cases in the country remains insufficient.

An abdominal aortic aneurysm happens when the wall of the body’s main artery becomes weak and slowly bulges out. If it bursts, it can lead to heavy internal bleeding. At that point, symptoms like severe pain and collapse may occur, and the situation can be life-threatening.

“Screening programmes are a key tool that enables us to detect serious illnesses early and save lives. The pilot programme for the early detection of abdominal aortic aneurysms is another important step in the prevention of a condition that often goes undetected until it reaches a critical stage,” said Czech Health Minister Vlastimil Válek (TOP 09, EPP).

“I believe that thanks to this initiative, we will not only raise awareness of this risk but, most importantly, help hundreds of men annually avoid serious complications or even death,” he added.

100 preventable deaths each year 

According to available statistics, AAA can affect up to 2% of men over 65. This means that thousands of Czech patients may be at risk. Estimates indicate that a well-established screening programme could prevent up to 100 deaths from the condition each year.

The new screening programme follows recommendations by the European Society for Vascular Surgery and aligns with similar initiatives in the United Kingdom and Sweden.

General practitioners are responsible for referring eligible patients to accredited radiology or vascular facilities for an ultrasound examination.

More than 183 facilities across Czechia have been accredited for the programme, and this number is continuously increasing to ensure wide access.

The screening begins with a general practitioner who refers the patient for an ultrasound examination at an accredited facility. If a risk is detected, the patient is referred to a cardiovascular centre. Here, it is determined whether the patient will be monitored further or treated with medication or surgery.

Smaller bulges can often be treated conservatively, such as simply by monitoring and influencing the effects of risk factors such as poor lifestyle or smoking, but also, for example, by administering medication. However, interventional treatment is the next step if the aneurysm becomes larger.

“In the Czech Republic, both conventional surgery and endovascular therapy, which involves a less invasive approach via the inguinal artery, are standard. Both methods are complementary, and the workplace should offer treatment tailored to the patient,” says Jiří Moláček, President of the Czech Surgical Society.

Five-year pilot programme

Data from 2021 show that nearly 600 patients underwent either preventive or acute interventions on the abdominal aorta. Medical professionals expect that the screening programme will reduce the number of emergency cases, improve treatment outcomes, and help manage healthcare resources more efficiently.

The programme specifically focuses on men in the 65 to 67 age bracket because they are considered at the highest risk. Men are four times more likely to develop an abdominal aortic aneurysm than women, and additional risk factors include smoking, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and a family history of the disease.

The programme’s pilot phase will run for five years, during which its impact and effectiveness will be evaluated.

“We believe that screening will save many lives and significantly reduce the severe health impacts of this condition,” Karel Hejduk, Director of the National Screening Centre, added.

[Edited by Vasiliki Angouridi, Brian Maguire]