An analysis of drug modulation of abdominal aortic aneurysm growth through 25 years of surveillance.

Background: A modest (41%) reduction in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) growth rate is likely to delay AAA-related events (surgery or rupture) by 5 years, making the notion of AAA medical treatment very appealing. Randomized controlled trials of commonly used existing medications are expensive and ethically questionable. This study reviewed the independent associations of commonly used medications and AAA growth during a 25-year period of AAA surveillance.

A sustained mortality benefit from screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Background: Longer-term mortality benefit and cost-effectiveness for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening are uncertain.

Objective: To estimate the benefits, in terms of AAA-related and all-cause mortality, and cost-effectiveness of ultrasonography screening for AAA in a group that was invited to screening compared with a group that was not invited at a mean 7-year follow-up.

Design: Randomized trial.

Assessment of the criteria for elective surgery in screen-detected abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Objectives: Apart from aortic diameter, two other widely used criteria for considering surgery in screen-detected abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs)--annual aortic expansion > or =1.0 cm and presence of symptoms attributable to the AAA--are based on accepted practice and AAA expansion rates, rather than direct evidence. The Multi-centre Aneurysm Screening Study (MASS) enables assessment of their contribution to this risk reduction.

Are antihypertensive drugs associated with abdominal aortic aneurysms?

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between anti-hypertensive drugs, the risk of developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), aortic wall stiffness, collagen turnover, and change in aortic diameter. STUDY DESIGN, SETTINGS AND METHODS: Data on present medication, smoking status, and medical history of participants in two population-based aneurysm screening programs in the United Kingdom were collected by use of questionnaire. Aortic elasticity was measured by M-mode ultrasound scanning.