Management of Small Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Excerpt

Aortic aneurysm is the tenth leading cause of death in men over 55 years of age (1). Most of these deaths are due to rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) and should be preventable. Elective surgical repair using synthetic grafts has been a successful treatment for asymptomatic AAAs. If rupture occurs, however, most patients die before reaching the operating room, and the mortality associated with emergent surgical repair is 30% to 50% (2, 3). Diagnosis before rupture is therefore essential to effective management, and screening for asymptomatic AAAs has been recommended for populations at high risk (4). Ultrasound is the