[Mass screening of cardiovascular disorders by two-dimensional echocardiography]

We used two-dimensional echocardiography (2-D echo) for the mass screening of 2,673 subjects for cardiovascular disorders (1,032 men, 1,641 women, aged 23-95 years with a mean age of 59), who lived in 12 rural areas in Japan. In 1,665 of the 2,673 subjects (62.3%), cardiac abnormalities were recognized. Three major abnormalities included sclerotic aortic (33.0%) and mitral valves (21.8%), and left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (15.9%). Apparent pericardial effusion (54 cases), mitral valve prolapse (44 cases), and dilated cardiomyopathy (4 cases) were incidentally found in this study. Prevalence of the abnormalities insidiously increased with age (below 49 years: 39%, and above 80 years: 97%), and this was apparently higher in men than in women. The abnormal findings which were significantly higher in men were the sclerotic aortic valves, LV hypertrophy and dysfunction, the prevalence of which was particularly high in ages 40-79, but it became nearly equal beyond 80 years of age. These results may indicate a sexual difference in the influence of age on the cardiovascular system. It was concluded that 2-D echo is helpful for primary screening and prevention of cardiovascular disorders.