Abdominal aortic aneurysms: clinical features, treatment and care.

Aneurysms can occur in any blood vessel, but aortic aneurysms in the abdominal aorta are particularly common. Large aortic aneurysms are likely to progress to life-threatening rupture or dissection, which is usually fatal. Elective repair of large aneurysms therefore reduces mortality and morbidity. Small aneurysms may be present in patients who present with other conditions. They will be monitored, but do not usually warrant the risks of undertaking repair on the body's main artery. This article reviews the pathophysiology, medical treatments and nursing care of abdominal aortic aneurysms.