The annual symposium on vascular surgery, sponsored by the Division of Vascular Surgery at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, addresses contemporary topics and controversies in vascular and endovascular surgery. The symposium brings together leading surgeons to address timely topics and controversies in vascular and endovascular surgery. Presentations at the symposium cover the full spectrum of vascular surgery, including changes in management of extracranial cerebrovascular disease, new treatment options for lower extremity arterial occlusive disease, hemodialysis access, improvements in techniques for complex venous disease, and developments in aortic stent graft repair in the chest and abdomen. The Modern Trends in Vascular Surgery series is a topical compilation of the standout presentations from the most recent three symposia. Diseases of the Aorta is a compilation of chapters that pertain to the treatment of aortic disease. Sections are organized by theme rather than by anatomic site. (1) A broad historical perspective on the symposium; (2) assessment of aneurysm repair in the endovascular era; (3) impact of patient factors as key drivers of procedural outcomes in the treatment of aortic disease; (4) critical elements of anatomic factors in aortic and iliac disease; (5) innovative techniques that facilitate treatment of aortic disease; (6) key challenges surgeons face in the endovascular treatment of aortic disease.