A significant increase not only in the number of operations for AAA but also in the incidence of autopsy findings of AAA from 1.5 per cent to 4.5 per cent has been observed during the last 20 years. Ultrasound screening of the abdominal aorta in patients examined for other reasons revealed asymptomatic dilatation of the infrarenal aorta to more than 4 cm in 3.8 per cent of men older than 60 years. AAA should be actively searched for at every physical and ultrasound examination of the abdomen in men over 60 years of age.