Background
Patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are at high cardiovascular risk therefore require secondary prevention, including antiplatelet and lipid lowering therapy and smoking cessation. The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of patients with AAA on best medical therapy.
Aim
The aim of this audit is primarily to determine the proportion of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms who are on best medical therapy. In addition this audit will assess for variation in practice based on socioeconomic status.
Methods
A multicentre study was conducted for all patients under AAA surveillance. Clinic letters were reviewed to collect data including age, medications and smoking status.
Results
A total of 986 patients, mean age 75.6 (SD 8.4), were included. 69.9% were on aspirin, 2.7% were on clopidogrel, 1.9% were on warfarin. 77.2% were on a lipid lowering agent. 65.4% were on both antiplatelet and statin therapy. 25.1% were current smokers, 60.3% ex-smokers and 13.1% never smokers. 51.3% were current non-smokers on best medical therapy.
Subgroup analysis revealed that 66.7% of patients are given full advice at clinic including antiplatelet, statin and smoking cessation, with 21.5% given no advice.
Conclusion
Patients on aneurysm surveillance are at high cardiovascular risk. Uptake of medical optimisation in these patients could be improved to minimise their risk potentially making them better surgical candidates in the future.