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Opposing views have been published on the importance of ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms. The Multicentre Aneurysm Screening Study was designed to assess whether or not such screening is beneficial.

A population-based sample of men (n=67 800) aged 65–74 years was enrolled, and each individual randomly allocated to either receive an invitation for an abdominal ultrasound scan (invited group, n=33 839) or not (control group, n=33 961). Men in whom abdominal aortic aneurysms (⩾3 cm in diameter) were detected were followed-up with repeat ultrasound scans for a mean of 4·1 years. Surgery was considered on specific criteria (diameter ⩾5·5 cm, expansion ⩾1 cm per year, symptoms). Mortality data were obtained from the Office of National Statistics, and an intention-to-treat analysis was based on cause of death. Quality of life was assessed with four …