Oxygen-dependent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease does not prohibit aortic aneurysm repair.
BACKGROUND
Severe oxygen-dependent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is considered by many to be a contraindication to open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. We reviewed our own experience with this patient population.


METHODS
From July 1995 to March 1999, 14 consecutive patients limited by home oxygen-dependent COPD underwent elective open infrarenal AAA repair. Their medical records were reviewed.


RESULTS
The mean aortic aneurysm size was 6.3 cm. The mean PaO2 = 70 mm Hg, PaCO2 = 45 mm Hg, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) = 34% of predicted, and forced vital capacity (FVC) = 67% of predicted. All 14 patients were extubated within 24 hours, mean length of hospital stay was 5.9 days, and there were no perioperative deaths.


CONCLUSIONS
Severe home oxygen-dependent COPD is not a contraindication to safe elective open AAA repair.
Eskandari
M K
MK
Division of Vascular Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pennsylvania, USA.
Rhee
R Y
RY
Steed
D L
DL
Webster
M W
MW
Muluk
S C
SC
Trachtenberg
J D
JD
Hoffman
R M
RM
Makaroun
M S
MS
D000368:Aged; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D003422:Critical Care; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology; D006699:Home Care Services; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D007902:Length of Stay; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000502:physiology
D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D010100:Oxygen