American Vascular Association Says Early Detection Screening Helped Save Cheney From Future Vascular Problems.

BALTIMORE -- Vice President Richard Cheney has undergone repair of his popliteal aneurysm. This aneurysm is a ballooning of the main artery to his leg and typically occurs in the lower thigh or behind the knee. Popliteal aneurysms are rare, compared to abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) which occur in about 5% of men over age 55. Unlike AAA, which rupture and are often fatal, popliteal aneurysms rarely rupture. As they grow larger, popliteal aneurysms become filled with thrombus (blood clot) that can severely compromise circulation to the leg and foot, and even lead to amputation.

Popliteal aneurysms occur almost exclusively in older men and are extremely rare in women. As in the Vice President's case they are found in both legs in over 50% of cases. Most notably, people with popliteal aneurysms often have other aneurysms, particularly AAA, which has also been diagnosed in Vice President Cheney.

Unfortunately, even today almost 80% of the people who suffer complications from these aneurysms never knew they had one. Vice President Cheney's aneurysms were found in a comprehensive healthcare screening examination which is to be expected for the leaders of our country, but rarely performed in others among our aging population.

The American Vascular Association (AVA) is a foundation of the Society for Vascular Surgery, the nation's largest group of dedicated vascular specialists. One of the main goals of the AVA is to increase public awareness about vascular problems like aneurysms. The AVA sponsors an annual National Screening Program to detect aneurysms and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) that blocks circulation to the legs. This public service effort has provided free screenings for almost 20,000 older Americans nationwide. The AVA screening program has detected over 300 aneurysms in people who never knew they had them.

Popliteal aneurysms have, in the past required surgery to bypass the aneurysm before it caused serious problems. With his history of serious heart problems, Vice President Cheney was felt to be at high risk for major surgery. In his case a less invasive method of treatment has been performed. The graft used to exclude the aneurysm will be placed using endovascular (inside the vessel) catheter technology which can be performed under local anesthesia and should result in a shortened recovery. This stent-graft technique has been pioneered by members of the SVS and has revolutionized the approach to all aneurysms.

The Society for Vascular Surgery has also founded the National Aneurysm Alliance, a multi-disciplinary group that has recently introduced legislation to provide ultrasound screening for AAA as a Medicare benefit; the SAAAVE bill (Screen for AAA Very Effectively). This program would help eliminate the unnecessary loss of life and limb due to previously undiagnosed aneurysms.