Ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysms: a study of incidence and mortality rates.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and mortality rate of ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) in a well-defined population.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of complied data from multiple registries in Stockholm, Sweden was performed.


RESULTS
Eighty-two and 76 cases were identified from 1980 and 1989, respectively, for an equal incidence of 5 per 100,000. Forty-one percent of the patients were alive on arrival at an emergency hospital, but the overall mortality rate was 97% to 100%.


CONCLUSIONS
The mortality rate of ruptured TAA is high. To decrease this high mortality rate, efficient screening methods for the diagnosis of TAA must be worked out, characteristics indicating high risk of rupture must be identified, and efforts should be made to increase the number of operations for ruptured TAA.
Johansson
G
G
Department of Surgery, St. Görans Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Markström
U
U
Swedenborg
J
J
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology