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Papers of the Month - September 96
1. Cook TA, Galland RB. A prospective study to define
the optimum rescreening interval for small AAA.
Cardiovascular Surgery 1996; 4: 441-448.
Abstract (adapted from authors):
A prospective study of 99 patients with small AAA's,
using serial ultrasound. 53 patients had AAA's 2.5-3.9
cm; and 46 patients were 4.0-4.9 cm. AAA's 2.5-3.9 were
screened annually; AAA's >4 cm were screened 6 monthly.
There were 8 deaths in the 2.5-3.9 group; none
attributable to rupture. There were 9 deaths in the 4.0-
4.9 group, one with rupture in a patient who measured 5.6
cm at her last screening but was considered unfit for
surgery. There were 7 elective repairs in the latter
group. "This study supports a policy of annual screening
for AAA's 2.5-3.9 cm and 6-monthly screening for those
equal to or greater than 4 cm.
Comment by mdt1:
*Good work*
2. Balm R. Transfemoral endovascular aneurysm management
(thesis). Privately printed with support from the
Netherlands Heart Foundation and Endovascular
Technologies Inc (Menlo Park, USA). ISBN 90-393-1285-0
(1996)
Comment by mdt1:
I think this thesis, which is beautifully printed and
illustrated, is definitive in its treatment of two and
three-dimensional imaging of AAA's as preparation for
endovascular grafting. The procedure is also described
in some detail. Initial results are encouraging, but
some major complications occurred (so the authors caution
that it must still be considered an experimental
procedure and that the operation itself is "technically
demanding." This is not the sort of publication that
will be purchased by many medical libraries, so if you
want a copy I might suggest that you contact Vic Bernhard at
EVT in Menlo Park, as they contributed to the publication costs and
probably have some copies on hand.