Table 2. Randomized controlled studies of ultrasound screening for AAA.
| Population | Year | Number of patients | Key findings regarding AAA |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom 246 | 1995 | 15,777 | AAA detected in 4% overall and 7.6% of men. Screening lowered incidence of rupture by 55% in men, while of no benefit in women |
| Denmark 247 | 2005 | 12,639 M Age > 65 y |
AAA found in 4% of men. Need for emergency surgery for AAA lowered by 75% and death from AAA lowered by 67% |
| MASS (multicenter aneurysm screening study) 13 | 2004 | 65,800 M Age 64–72 y |
Aneurysm mortality reduced by 42% |
| Australia 248 | 2004 | 41,000 Age 65–83 y |
AAA prevalence 7.2%. Mortality ratio 0.61 (screened group to nonscreened group), but difference NS (unfortunately multiple mortalities occurred in patients randomized to scanning who did not comply to be scanned, skewing results adversely) |
| Cochrane review 249 | 2007 | 127,891 men, 9,342 women | No reduction in all-cause mortality. Significant reduction in AAA-related death in men (OR, 0.60) |
| Aneurysm Detection and Management study (VA study) 7 | 1997 | 73,451 veterans Age 50–79 y |
Smoking raises incidence of aneurysm 5.7-fold Aneurysms found in 1.4% of patients |
Abbreviation: AAA, abdominal aortic aneurysm.