Routine angiography for abdominal aortic aneurysm: the case for informed operative selection.

An ongoing prospective protocol of routine abdominal aortic angiography in the evaluation of patients presenting for elective abdominal aortic aneurysmorrhaphy was assessed for its efficacy in directing perioperative management. Eighteen per cent of 70 angiograms provided decisive information, and an additional 14% were potentially helpful in operative management; we therefore feel that routine angiography is a valuable part of the preoperative workup of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms.