The Gloucestershire Aneurysm Screening Programme: the first 2 years' experience.

5337 men aged 65 were invited for ultrasound examination of the abdominal aorta between September 1990 and October 1992 as part of a General Practice based aneurysm screening programme covering the County of Gloucestershire. 4232 (79%) attended. 3877 (91.6%) had aortic diameters equal to or less than 2.5 cm. 302 (7.1%) had aortic diameters in the range 2.6-3.9 cm and 53 (1.3%) had a diameter of 4.0 cm or greater. Mean aortic diameter was 2.04 cm (S.D. 0.50 cm). The practicalities, costs and benefits of a community based aneurysm screening programme are discussed.