Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in the veteran population.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to audit the outcome of elective open aortic aneurysm repair in a veteran hospital to determine whether age > or =80 years influenced the morbidity or mortality.


METHODS
All elective abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repaired at Greenslopes Private (Repatriation) Hospital between January 1995 and July 2000 were reviewed. Operative details, premorbid condition, postoperative outcomes as well as length of admission were recorded. Patients were grouped according to age as > or =80 years or <80 years.


RESULTS
There were 251 open elective AAA (including infrarenal and suprarenal, as well as recurrent AAA) repairs carried out during this period, 64 of which were patients of age > or =80 years. Cardiovascular risks factors did not differ between groups nor did complication rates for patients > or =80 and <80 years of age (19.1 and 19.8%, respectively). Mortality rates were not significantly different between groups (> or =80 years: 6.25%; <80 years: 4.8%; P > 0.6).


CONCLUSIONS
Age > or =80 years should not be an exclusion criteria when contemplating open elective AAA repair.
Kruger
Allan
A
Department of Vascular Surgery, Greenslopes Private (Repatriation) Hospital, Newdegate Street Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. allanteresa@bigpond.com.au
Foster
Wallace
W
Love
Arthur
A
Woodruff
Peter
P
Blackford
John
J
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery*; D000075202:Contraindications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures; D014728:Veterans