Aortic aneurysms have finally entered the public eye, thanks to a flurry of recent media attention. A series of Wall Street Journal articles in 2003, and the deaths of prominent figures (including John Ritter and Lucille Ball from aortic dissection) have created widespread public awareness of aortic aneurysms, for perhaps the first time ever. As physicians, we can seize the opportunity created by this attention and use it to ultimately provide better care for our patients.

By becoming...