Abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Modern surgical techniques permit repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms and prevent eventual rupture, with a mortality rate of only a few percent. Coronary heart disease is the chief cause of death, depriving the patient of an assumed improved life expectancy after successful operation for aneurysm. Therefore, aggressive preoperative cardiac evaluation, including coronary arteriography and perhaps more protective myocardial revascularization procedures, is indicated.