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Management of abdominal aortic aneurysms

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Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are a lethal disease. Ultrasound is the modality of choice for screening patients for AAAs. It is reasonable to screen patients over age 60, particularly men, women with cardiovascular risk factors, smokers, and patients with a family history of AAAs. Patients with small (< 5.5 cm) AAAs should be followed with serial ultrasound. Medical management should focus on treating comorbidities, particularly those that put patients at risk for other cardiovascular diseases. Smoking cessation is mandatory in these patients. Patients with large or symptomatic AAAs should be evaluated for surgery; this includes careful imaging of the abdomen, aggressive treatment of comorbidities, and perioperative β blockade. Endovascular repair has lower short-term morbidity compared with conventional open repair. Trials assessing long-term results are in progress. Basic science and translational research focusing on the underlying pathogenesis of AAAs will likely pave the way for medical therapies in the future.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Vascular Surgery, University of Michigan Health System, 2210 Taubman Health Care Center, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, 48109-0329, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Gilbert R. Upchurch Jr MD

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  1. Jennifer M. Dehlin BS
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  2. Gilbert R. Upchurch Jr MD
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Dehlin, J.M., Upchurch, G.R. Management of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Curr Treat Options Cardio Med 7, 119–130 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11936-005-0013-3

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