The international surgical journal with global reach

This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS

Baseline findings of the population‐based, randomized, multifaceted Danish cardiovascular screening trial (DANCAVAS) of men aged 65–74 years. BJS 2019; 106: 862-871.

Published: 27th March 2019

Authors: J. S. Lindholt, L. M. Rasmussen, R. Søgaard, J. Lambrechtsen, F. H. Steffensen, L. Frost et al.

Background

The challenge of managing age‐related diseases is increasing; routine checks by the general practitioner do not reduce cardiovascular mortality. The aim here was to reduce cardiovascular mortality by advanced population‐based cardiovascular screening. The present article reports the organization of the study, the acceptability of the screening offer, and the relevance of multifaceted screening for prevention and management of cardiovascular disease.

Method

Danish men aged 65–74 years were invited randomly (1 : 2) to a cardiovascular screening examination using low‐dose non‐contrast CT, ankle and brachial BP measurements, and blood tests.

Results

In all, 16 768 of 47 322 men aged 65–74 years were invited and 10 471 attended (uptake 62·4 per cent). Of these, 3481 (33·2 per cent) had a coronary artery calcium score above 400 units. Thoracic aortic aneurysm was diagnosed in the ascending aorta (diameter 45 mm or greater) in 468 men (4·5 per cent), in the arch (at least 40 mm) in 48 (0·5 per cent) and in the descending aorta (35 mm or more) in 233 (2·2 per cent). Abdominal aortic aneurysm (at least 30 mm) and iliac aneurysm (20 mm or greater) were diagnosed in 533 (5·1 per cent) and 239 (2·3 per cent) men respectively. Peripheral artery disease was diagnosed in 1147 men (11·0 per cent), potentially uncontrolled hypertension (at least 160/100 mmHg) in 835 (8·0 per cent), previously unknown atrial fibrillation confirmed by ECG in 50 (0·5 per cent), previously unknown diabetes mellitus in 180 (1·7 per cent) and isolated severe hyperlipidaemia in 48 men (0·5 per cent).

Conclusion

Multifaceted cardiovascular screening is feasible and may optimize cardiovascular disease prevention in men aged 65–74 years. Uptake is lower than in aortic aneurysm screening.

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