Use of sequential B-mode ultrasonography to manage abdominal aortic aneurysms
F. N. Littooy, G. Steffan, H. P. Greisler, T. L. White and W. H. Baker
Department of Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153.
The utility and safety of sequential B-mode ultrasonography to treat male
patients with small (less than 6.0 cm in diameter) abdominal aortic
aneurysms (AAAs) were studied retrospectively in 149 consecutive patients.
Sixty-three of these patients have had operative repair of the AAA.
Eight-six remain unoperated on. Mean growth rate was 0.79 cm/y (1.06 cm/y
in the operated-on group and 0.36 cm/y in the unoperated-on group). Seven
patients sustained rupture of the AAA during follow-up and 4 patients died
as a consequence of elective repair, for a combined mortality rate of 7.4%
(11/149). Only one AAA that was less than 5.0 cm ruptured. This has proved
to be an effective way to manage AAAs in this population.
