Arteriosclerotic Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Abstract

In the absence of otherwise fatal disease, the mere presence of an arteriosclerotic abdominal aortic aneurysm is indication for its removal and replacement with a graft. If the aneurysm is not treated, the patient has only one chance in 10 of living long enough to die of some other cause. The fact that half of the patients whose aneurysms have ruptured can be saved makes it worthwhile to attempt removal and replacement on any patient who is alive when he reaches a properly equipped operating room.