Can family physicians accurately screen for AAA with point-of-care ultrasound?

J Fam Pract. 2021 Jul;70(6):304-307. doi: 10.12788/jfp.0231.

Abstract

Likely yes. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) by nonradiologist physicians is 98% sensitive and 99% specific, compared with imaging performed by radiologists (strength of recommendation [SOR]: B, meta-analysis of diagnostic accuracy studies mostly involving emergency medicine physicians). European family physicians demonstrated 100% concordance with radiologist readings (SOR: C, very small subsequent diagnostic accuracy studies).

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Meta-Analysis
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / diagnosis*
  • Clinical Competence / standards*
  • Clinical Competence / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mass Screening / standards*
  • Mass Screening / statistics & numerical data
  • Middle Aged
  • Physicians, Family / standards*
  • Physicians, Family / statistics & numerical data
  • Point-of-Care Systems / standards*
  • Point-of-Care Systems / statistics & numerical data
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Radiologists / standards*
  • Radiologists / statistics & numerical data
  • Risk Factors
  • Ultrasonography / standards*
  • Ultrasonography / statistics & numerical data
  • United States