REVIEWS  THORACIC AND ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSMS CHALLENGES 

Italian Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery 2007 September;14(3):257-62

Copyright © 2007 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

The small abdominal aortic aneurysm

Golledge J. ¹, Muller J. ¹, Norman P. E. ²

¹ The Vascular Biology Unit James Cook University Townsville, Queensland, Australia 2 School of Surgery and Pathology University of Western Australia Fremantle Hospital, Fremantle, Australia

Small abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are increasingly being identified in developed countries with widespread use of abdominal imaging. In this review we describe the epidemiology, pathogenesis, natural history and management of this problem. Present evidence suggests that small aortic aneurysms should be managed conservatively with ultrasound surveillance and cardiovascular risk factor reduction. Trials of endovascular treatment of small AAAs are underway but equally important are studies of drug-based therapies for AAA which are presently deficient.