Aneurysmal disease

The frequency of the diagnosis of arterial aneurysms is increasing. Aneurysms in many locations remain asymptomatic and require careful evaluation of at-risk patient populations. Screening of first-degree relatives of patients with known AAA now appears to be indicated. A high index of suspicion of the possible presence or the existence of known aneurysms should prompt timely referral for evaluation by a vascular surgeon. Consideration of a patient's candidacy for surgical intervention should involve the evaluation of a myriad of factors, some of which have been elucidated in this overview. The safety of surgical intervention for aneurysm repair has continued to improve, and most patients can be surgically managed with an acceptably low rate of morbidity and mortality.