Rastreio populacional de aneurisma da aorta abdominal em Portugal – o imperativo da sua realização

In Portugal, the number of abdominal aortic aneurisms (AAA) treated in relation with its population is among the lowest in the literature. This phenomenon can be explained by a low diagnostic rate or a reduced prevalence of AAA in our population. To date, no systematic population screening was conducted in Portugal. The opportunistic screening “A aorta não avisa” described a prevalence of 2.4% in our population. Several studies have shown the benefit of population screening for AAA, by describing a significant decrease in specific and all‐cause mortality. In that way, the screening is already recommended in men over 65 years by the leading international Vascular Surgery societies ‐ European Society for Vascular Surgery (level 1 recommendation) and Society for Vascular Surgery (level 2 recommendation). In addition to its academic and scientific justification, based on the current evidence, the benefits of an AAA screening program in terms of public health are undeniable and irrefutable.