title: Gastrointestinal complications after descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic repairs: a 14-year experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is a paucity of data regarding gastrointestinal (GI) complications after descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic (DTA/TAA) surgical repairs. We examined our 14-year experience with these repairs to determine the incidence, outcomes, and risk factors for postoperative GI complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between February 1991 and February 2005, we repaired 1,159 DTA/TAA. Data were prospectively collected. The mean patient age was 68 years and 36% were women. Complications were classified as biliary disease, hepatic dysfunction, pancreatitis, GI bleeding, peptic ulcer disease, bowel ischemia, and ileus. Risk factors for the occurrence of GI complications were ascertained by univariate and multivariable analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 1,159 patients, 81 had 109 GI complications, for a 7% incidence. The mortality associated with GI complications was 39.5% compared with 13.5% (P < .0001) in patients without GI complications. The incidences of complications were bowel ischemia, 2.5% with 62% mortality; biliary disease, 0.3% with 75% mortality; hepatic dysfunction, 1.6% with 38% mortality; acute pancreatitis, 0.3% with 20% mortality; GI bleeding, 1.5% with 29% mortality; peptic ulcer disease, 0.9% with 30% mortality; and ileus, 2.2% with 26% mortality. Postoperative biliary disease (odds ratio [OR], 16.58; P = .001), hepatic dysfunction (OR, 3.58; P = .006), and bowel ischemia (OR, 10.03; P = .0001) were significantly associated with an increased postoperative mortality. Risk factors for the occurrence of GI complications were visceral involvement of the aortic repair (TAA extent II, III, and IV) (OR, 2.08; P = .002) and low preoperative glomerular filtration rate (OR, .98; P = .0002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Biliary disease, hepatic dysfunction, and bowel ischemia after DTA/TAA surgical repairs were associated with an increased mortality. Visceral involvement and preoperative renal insufficiency were risk factors for the occurrence of GI complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Memorial Hermann Hisoital, 6410 Fannin Street, Houston, 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Paul E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Achouh
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Madsen
authors.forename: Charles C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Anthony L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Estrera
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Azizzadeh
authors.forename: Jayesh
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dhareshwar
authors.forename: Eyal
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Porat
authors.forename: Hazim J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Safi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery*; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000601:surgery*; D041881:Cholecystitis, Acute / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000453:epidemiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures