Aneurysm of the Abdominal Aorta and Iliac Arteries

Abstract

ANY artery in the body has the potential of dilating abnormally if weakness develops in the artery wall. If this dilatation is of significant degree, the lesion is described as an aneurysm. If the weakness and dilatation involves most of the circumference of the vessel, the aneurysm is described as fusiform; if one wall gives more than the others, a saccular aneurysm develops on that side. In either type, growth increases the bursting force on the wall as well as thinning the wall; consequently, rupture is a frequent and disastrous complication.Aortic aneurysms have been recognized since the Middle Ages, . . .