Real-Time Screening for AAA: POCUS Helps Bridge the Preventive Care Gap

A routine primary care visit for vague abdominal pain turned into a life-saving intervention when point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) identified a 6.4 cm abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The timely diagnosis led to immediate referral for CT and vascular surgery, potentially preventing a fatal rupture and avoiding the significant costs of emergent care. This case highlights how integrating POCUS into outpatient settings can dramatically improve patient outcomes while reducing downstream healthcare costs.