Aneurysm risks to be tackled

Wednesday 05 January 2022

A new preventative screening programme has been introduced in Guernsey for the first time by one of the island's GP practices.

Island Health, which has three practices, including the Town Surgery at Le Truchot, is using a new abdominal aortic aneurysm screening system to measure the risks patients face to prevent ruptures, which can be fatal.

Pictured: The NHS website has information on the definition, symptoms of and treatments for abdominal aortic aneurysms HERE. 

The Town Surgery will be offering the scans through a partnership with Island Ultrasound.

Patients already at a higher risk of suffering an aneurysm will be screened initially. Men are known to be at a higher risk than women, and the risk increases with age, so men aged 65 or older will be offered a screening first. If an abdominal aortic aneurysm is detected, the patient will be referred to the island's vascular health team.

Doctor Mike Long is the Island Health GP lead on the programme. He says the programme has the support of the island's Health and Social Care department as preventative medicine is always important. He said it follows a tried and tested formula already used successfully elsewhere. 

"The NHS has had an abdominal aortic aneurysm programme in the UK since 2009. What we're undertaking is a Guernsey version of that which is clinically identical. Abdominal aortic aneurysms are rare, but they do have the potential to be fatal if they rupture. The good news is that the screening service we're offering is excellent at detecting them and, if an abdominal aortic aneurysm is detected, we will refer you to the local Vascular team. Depending on the size of the aneurysm, the team will either monitor it or recommend surgery to prevent it rupturing."

WATCH: You can see a video about AAA on the NHS website, HERE. 

The screening will involve a non-invasive scan of the adbomen, which will cost £45 each. 

Dr Long said In most cases an abdominal aortic aneurysm causes no symptoms. The UK screening programme has shown that approximately 1 in 92 men screened have an abdominal aoertic aneurysm. The majority of these will be small aneurysms that then can be monitored regularly and lifestyle advice given to try and prevent the aneurysm getting any larger. However, in some instances, a large aneurysm is detected which can then be tackled in the appropriate way. 

"In those cases, it can very definitely be a life saver."

Pictured top: The Town Surgery where the new service will be offered initially.