Angiography in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms

We obtained angiograms on 61 consecutive patients being evaluated for elective aneurysmorrhaphy at the Gainesville VA Medical Center, Gainesville, Florida. Renal artery stenosis was documented in 33% of cases, aberrant or multiple renal arteries in 26%, and other aneurysmal disease, most commonly in the iliac system, was present in 51%. Occlusive disease was common (30%). In 72% of patients, the preoperative angiogram affected the operative plan. Only one complication was recorded, a retroperitoneal hematoma from catheter perforation. The results correlate well with previously published reports. We conclude that a significant majority of patients having abdominal aortic aneurysm have angiographic abnormalities. In a majority of these patients, the angiogram altered operative therapy.