Aneurysm Outreach Inc., a Nonprofit Organization, Offers Community-Based, Ultrasonography Screening for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms.

Aneurysm Outreach Inc. (AOI; ) is a nonprofit volunteer organization founded in 1999 whose aim is to (a) raise public awareness about aneurysms; (b) stimulate and fund genetic research through donations; and (c) coordinate a support network for aneurysm patients and their families. Since abdominal ultrasonography examination of an asymptomatic individual is not presently reimbursed by health insurance in the United States, one of the initiatives supported by AOI is to have free ultrasonography screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) for those most at risk. One of the initiatives supported by AOI is to have free ultrasonography screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). To meet this goal, a free screening program was initiated in September 2001 and by November 2004 approximately 3,000 participants were screened and 61 (2.0%) participants were confirmed to have a dilated aorta and were referred to their primary care physicians or vascular surgeons for further follow-up and treatment, if indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]