title: Abdominal aneurysmectomy and determinants of improved results and late survival. Surgical considerations in 672 operations and 1-15 year follow-up.
abstract: The present communication is concerned with 672 abdominal aneurysmectomies performed over a period of 24 years. All aneurysms with diameter 4 cm and above, were considered for surgery. Emphasis is given on factors determining post operative results and late survival. There was an age ranging from 38 to 92 years (mean 68.3). Elective surgery was performed in 434 cases with mortality 2.8%. In 100 symptomatic patients mortality was 4%. In 115 cases emergency undertaking was necessary. From this particular group, 80 cases represent formal rupture with mortality 41%. In the remaining 35 patients with symptomatology compatible with "impending rupture" mortality was 6%. There were 5 cases with inflammatory aneurysm with no incidence of death and 18 with simultaneous renal reconstruction. Mortality in the latter group was 11%. Risk factors including heart disease, hypertension and other associated pathology, were responsible for the majority of early deaths within the period of 30 post operative days and late mortality. Concerning late deaths, cardiac cases were predominant (24%), followed by cerebrovascular insufficiency (8%), cancer (5%) and chronic pulmonary disease (6%). In the overall follow-up, parameters such as hypertension with and/or without associated heart disease, symptomatology due to aneurysm and other associated pathology, were comparatively used in selective group of patients. Late mortality was investigated among three groups of patients and classified according to the 60, 70 and 80 decade of life. An entry form listing pertinent data was constructed and completed on the base of direct information from 489 (72.7%) and indirect from 183 (27.3%) patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Red Cross General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Poulias
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Doundoulakis
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Skoutas
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Haddad
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Karkanias
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lyberiades
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D002423:Cause of Death; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality; D016019:Survival Analysis