Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Of 100 patients who underwent elective resection of abdominal aortic aneurysms, most had been asymptomatic, but about one third had had symptoms referable to the aneurysms. In 19% of the cases, the aneurysms were found on roentgenograms taken for other reasons. There was high prevalence of other cardiovascular abnormalities. Peripheral arterial occlusion and myocardial infarction were the most serious complications in the survivors and occurred only in patients who had prior evidence of arterial occlusion. In particular, patients with angina and peripheral arterial occlusion had the greatest incidence of complications. The surgical mortality was 4%. The bleak outlook for patients with aneurysm which is not corrected by operation makes it necessary that this diagnosis not be overlooked in the general examination of patients.