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What is gained from large-scale ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs)? In this population-based U.K. trial, 67,800 men (age range, 65-74) were randomized about evenly to receive or not to receive an invitation for abdominal ultrasound. Of 27,147 who accepted invitations, 1333 had AAAs detected. Patients with AAA diameters of 3.0-4.4 cm were rescanned yearly; those with AAA diameters of 4.5-5.4 cm were rescanned every 3 months. Surgery was considered for AAA diameters of ≥5.5 cm, diameter growth of ≥1 cm within 1 year, or symptoms.
During a mean follow-up of about 4 years, the AAA-related mortality rate was significantly lower in the initially invited group (0.19%) than in the initially uninvited (control) group (0.33%), …