Abdominal aortic aneurysms. The old and the new.
Abdominal aortic aneurysms are more frequently diagnosed while they are asymptomatic, by ultrasound scanning or computerized tomography (CT). Large aneurysms should be treated. Open surgical repair is well proven but is a major procedure with some risk and a slow convalescence. New endoluminal techniques, inserting grafts through the femoral artery involve minimal trauma and risk, with rapid recovery, but long term success has yet to be confirmed. At present, we consider that endoluminal grafts should be reserved for patients at high risk, but with increasing experience they could be used in more than 50% of cases.
Myers
K
K
Monash Medical Centre, Clayton.
Devine
T
T
D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000517:prevention & control; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D011379:Prognosis; D015607:Stents; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*