Hohneck A, Keese M, Ruemenapf G, et al. - Researchers assessed the prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) of an inpatient high-risk cohort including 566 males of ≥ 65 years of age hospitalized for suspected or known cardiopulmonary disease. They also estimated the co-prevalence of lower extremity arterial aneurysms in these people. Detectable AAAs were present in 40 of 566 patients (7.1%). Acute coronary syndrome, congestive heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were identified as the three most common main diagnoses at discharge. Multivariate analysis revealed a positive link of three-vessel coronary artery disease and history of smoking with AAA and a negative link of diabetes mellitus with AAA. In this patient population, a high AAA prevalence was revealed by ultrasound screening vs the existing epidemiological screening programs. Findings revealed a moderate proportion of newly-screen identified AAA. As a result of additional screening of the lower extremity arteries, some associated aneurysms were yielded with an indication for likely intervention.