Twenty-one years' experience with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms.
The surgical experience with 107 ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms at this hospital during the years 1953 to 1975 has been reviewed. The operative mortality rate during the first ten years of this study was 86 per cent, but since 1966, it has fallen to 40 per cent. These improved mortality statistics are related primarily to improved techniques for controlling operative blood loss and minimizing the time of aortic cross clamping. The use of an intra-aortic balloon has been useful in this regard. Twenty-four additional patients died from ruptured aneurysms without undergoing operation, all before 1966. Only seven had a correct diagnosis prior to death, and these seven serve to emphasize the importance of being alert to the diagnosis of ruptured aneurysm which often masquerades as urologic or orthopedic problems because of the frequent symptoms of back, abdominal, flank or groin pain. Since the operative mortality rate for elective resection of the aneurysm has been less than 1 per cent at this institution during the last eight years, we believe we are justified in encouraging prompt resection of aneurysms on an elective basis to eliminate the high mortality rate that still accompanies rupture of the aneurysm.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery*; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010414:Pennsylvania; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous / Q000601:surgery