title: Use of sequential B-mode ultrasonography to manage abdominal aortic aneurysms.
abstract: The utility and safety of sequential B-mode ultrasonography to treat male patients with small (less than 6.0 cm in diameter) abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) were studied retrospectively in 149 consecutive patients. Sixty-three of these patients have had operative repair of the AAA. Eight-six remain unoperated on. Mean growth rate was 0.79 cm/y (1.06 cm/y in the operated-on group and 0.36 cm/y in the unoperated-on group). Seven patients sustained rupture of the AAA during follow-up and 4 patients died as a consequence of elective repair, for a combined mortality rate of 7.4% (11/149). Only one AAA that was less than 5.0 cm ruptured. This has proved to be an effective way to manage AAAs in this population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153.
authors.forename: F N
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: Littooy
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Steffan
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Greisler
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Baker
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000473:pathology; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*