Risk communication in relation to operation for AAA might be considered particularly difficult because of the uncertainty related to outcomes and the possibility of having to choose between two procedures with distinct risk profiles. Whether or not to undertake a problematic prophylactic intervention for an asymptomatic condition is particularly difficult for the elderly, who are at the highest risk of post-operative morbidity and yet have the least potential for long-term survival {28}.

In a study by Timmermans et al. patients with a higher desire to be involved in decision making preferred more, and more complex, information compared with patients who wanted to be less involved in decision making, suggesting that the choice of risk format might be more important for patients wanting to be less involved in decision making {30}.