title: Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in the veteran population.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, Greenslopes Private (Repatriation) Hospital, Newdegate Street Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. allanteresa@bigpond.com.au
authors.forename: Allan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kruger
authors.forename: Wallace
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.forename: Arthur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Love
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Woodruff
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Blackford
mesh_terms: 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