Mortality results for randomised controlled trial of early elective surgery or ultrasonographic surveillance for small abdominal aortic aneurysms. Setting 93 hospitals in the United Kingdom. Exclusion criteria included being unfit for elective surgery and having a symptomatic aneurysm. Follow-up was complete. Surgery was done according to normal local procedures.
Main outcome measure Death from all causes.
Main results Analysis was by intention to treat. Results were similar after adjustment for baseline factors and source of patient referral. Conclusion Early, prophylactic, elective surgery did not reduce mortality compared with ultrasonographic surveillance of aortic diameter in patients with small, asymptomatic, abdominal aortic aneurysms. Abstract and Commentary also published in ACP Journal Club. Commentary This commentary also refers to article Early surgery was more expensive tan surveillance for small abdominal aortic aneurysms but slightly improved health perception and bodily pain .