Management of ruptured or symptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysms

During the past 15 years, the operative mortality for elective repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms has declined; this favorable trend has very likely resulted from simplified operative technique and improved perioperative management. Unfortunately, however, there has been no comparable decline in the mortality associated with repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms. The management of these patients remains a challenge to even the most skilled and experienced vascular surgeon.