ABSTRACT
The natural history of an untreated abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is one of expansion, sometimes leading to rupture and death of the patient. The primary endpoint of any therapy must therefore address and alter this natural history to be successful. Conventional operative aneurysm resection and grafting is a durable surgical gold standard, but morbidities in this elderly population are generally high, and mortalities unavoidable. Endovascular therapy has engendered new excitement and promise for affecting the progression of abdominal aortic aneurysm expansion while reducing the need for traditional open repair (1).
