Clinical applications of the supraceliac aorta: anatomical and pathologic observations.

To assess the extent of atherosclerosis in the supraceliac aorta, we studied autopsy samples from 100 men with severe atherosclerotic disease and from 135 men who had died of noncoronary causes. In both groups, the extent of atherosclerotic involvement was consistently less in the supraceliac aorta than in the infrarenal aorta. For this reason and because of other desirable characteristics, the supraceliac aorta is useful as an anastomotic site for apicoaortic conduits; in cases of graft infection; in coarctation of the aorta, when a concomitant cardiac procedure has been performed; and when the infrarenal aorta is inaccessible.