[Ultrasonography for early diagnosis of abdominal aortic aneurysm]

2,654 males aged 60 years or older were invited to attend a screening examination using ultrasound to detect abdominal aortic aneurysm. 1,256 met up. A fee of NOK 150 was charged. 92 aneurysms were detected (7.3%) 69 were smaller than 40 mm and 23 were 40 mm or larger. During the observation period (18 months from start of the study and nine months after screening stopped) 17 of the patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm of 40 mm or larger had elective operations. All patients survived without major complications. Owing to the high prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm, the low cost of screening, and the safety of elective surgery, it is suggested that screening for detection of abdominal aortic aneurysm should be carried out on a larger scale.