Copresence of abdominal aortic aneurysm in symptomatic coronary artery disease patients

Prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) has ethnic difference, and is more in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. No Indian data are available on this. We aim to know the prevalence of AAA in symptomatic CAD patients in ≥40 years age group and compare it with the general population in North Western India. 200 angiographically proven symptomatic CAD patients (88.5% men, mean age 57.54 ± 9.96 years) and 200 age- and sex-matched healthy people (81.9% males, mean age 57.16 ± 10.05 years), ≥40 years age, were screened for AAA by 2D echo study. CT aortography was done for confirmation in positive cases. AAA was present in 3.5% of CAD patients and 1% of age- and sex-matched healthy people ≥40 years. AAA was present in 7.4% of triple vessel disease (TVD) patients, 2.6% of double vessel disease (DVD) patients, and 1.4% of single vessel disease (SVD) patients. CAD patients presented with AAA at mean age of 67.8 ± 4.70 years. The youngest patient with AAA in CAD group was of 58 years. In North Western India, the prevalence of AAA is lesser, both in CAD group and in controls, as compared to western countries. Prevalence of AAA increases with increasing severity of CAD; hence AAA should be screened, particularly in TVD patients. CAD patients may be considered for earlier screening for AAA than the general population.