OBJECTIVES: To study the outcome of surgery versus ultrasound surveillance for small aortic aneurysms. DESIGN: Multicentre, random allocation, open trial. SETTING: University and general hospitals across the UK. MATERIALS: Patients aged 60-76 years with small asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysms (4-5.5 cm in diameter). CHIEF OUTCOME MEASURES: The mortality rate, costs, usage of health service resources and quality of life of each treatment will be compared. CONCLUSIONS: From patients randomised to ultrasound surveillance, the natural history of small aneurysms will be determined. The design, methods and progress of this trial are reported here.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVES: To study the outcome of surgery versus ultrasound surveillance for small aortic aneurysms. DESIGN: Multicentre, random allocation, open trial. SETTING: University and general hospitals across the UK. MATERIALS: Patients aged 60-76 years with small asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysms (4-5.5 cm in diameter). CHIEF OUTCOME MEASURES: The mortality rate, costs, usage of health service resources and quality of life of each treatment will be compared. CONCLUSIONS: From patients randomised to ultrasound surveillance, the natural history of small aneurysms will be determined. The design, methods and progress of this trial are reported here.