title: [Treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms].
abstract: Three treatment options are available for an asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA): an expectant approach with ultrasonographic check-ups, reconstruction of the abdominal aorta via the conventional ('open') approach and endovascular repair. For aneurysms less than 5.5 cm in diameter the annual rupture risk is less than 1%. For these patients a better alternative to the expectant approach does not seem to exist. The risk of rupture needs to be weighed up against the risks of a conventional operation. The operation mortality of patients with a non-ruptured AAA is about 7% while other serious complications occur in about 10%. The short to medium-term results of endovascular aneurysm repair are characterized by high reintervention rates, material fatigue and device failure. The three treatment options described are currently being investigated in several large-scale randomised studies for AAAs greater than 5.5 cm in diameter.
authors.affiliation: Universitair Medisch Centrum, divisie Chirurgie, afd. Vaatchirurgie, Postbus 85.500, 3508 GA Utrecht. j.d.blankensteijn@chir.azu.nl
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Blankensteijn
mesh_terms: D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography
vernacular_title: De behandeling van het aneurysma van de aorta abdominalis.