“As many as 80 to 90 per cent of patients who present with this type of rupture will die,” said Dr. Kapila, Ontario Health’s Provincial Lead for Vascular Care, and a key leader behind the launch of the Ontario Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Program. The program is the first of its kind in Canada.

“Incredibly, abdominal aortic aneurysms affect about 20,000 Canadians each year, but if we can find them before they rupture, vascular surgeons can transition from crisis care to planned care, and most importantly, save lives.”  

Dr. Kapila, who has also been the Associate Medical Director for CritiCall Ontario (Ornge) since 2023 and Past-President of the Canadian Society of Vascular Surgery, has championed AAA screening since assuming his provincial role three years ago crediting collaboration as vital to its launch. 

“Thanks to Ministry of Health funding and strong partnerships in primary care, diagnostics, vascular care and research, as well as people with lived experience, Ontarians aged 65 to 80 can now access a free 10-minute ultrasound. Within minutes they’ll know whether they are at risk for AAA. A clear result means no need for a repeat ultrasound is needed.”  

Dr. Kapila also praised Osler colleagues Dr. Hussein Jaffer, Physician Lead, Interventional Radiology, and Dr. William Johnson, Division Head for Vascular Surgery, co-leads of the Vascular Program and nationally recognized. “Dr. Jaffer and Dr. Johnson are a great example of what can be achieved when we break down siloes and share expertise to drive innovative approaches to care.” 

The program draws on best practices from the Ontario Breast Screening Program, national guidelines on AAA screening, and a 2024 cost-benefit study of AAA screening published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. 

Shortly after the September 2025 launch, Ontario Health began sending letters to Ontarians on their 65th birthday inviting them to contact their primary care provider for a screening. Distribution is now expanded to all Ontarians aged 65 to 80 as of 2026, and those identified as “at risk” will be referred to one of Ontario’s 21 Designated Provincial Vascular programs – including Osler. 

“If we can find aneurysms early, we can perform minimally invasive procedures using local anaesthetic, where patients are often in hospital for less than 24 hours.” said Dr. Kapila. 

“The population Osler serves has high rates of diabetes, hypertension, kidney failure, and heart disease, making it a hot spot for peripheral arterial disease, coronary heart disease, and vascular diseases like aneurysms,” said Dr. Kapila. “This screening program will have real impact, and thanks to investments in vascular care, patients will have access to 24/7 world-class endovascular care close to home.” 

Now that the AAA screening program has launched, Dr. Kapila hopes it will inspire similar initiatives across Canada and support deeper integration between primary care, diagnostic imaging and vascular services.  

“This is one of the most significant advancements in vascular care in my 13 years as a surgeon. If adopted more widely, it has the potential to save countless lives.”  ​