title: Diagnosis and management of aortic mycotic aneurysms.
abstract: We reviewed all papers most recently reported in the literature (January-December 2008) with regard to infected arterial aneurysms (IAAs) affecting the aorta. Most of the recently reported knowledge is limited to case reports and small series of aortic mycotic aneurysms. Most patients are elderly men and have comorbidities at presentation. Aneurysms were most commonly associated to Salmonella and Staphylococcus. However, several cases of aortic IAAs caused by atypical pathogens were also reported, likely due to an increase in immunosuppressive illnesses, increased life expectancy, improved diagnostic methods, and increasing medical awareness. Open surgical therapy of IAAs remains the gold standard. Some have reported successful outcomes with endovascular methodologies for patients medically compromised or for particular challenging clinical or anatomical scenarios. However, at this time, conclusive evidence is lacking and it should be in general considered a bridge to open repair. The latter should be planned at the earliest possible, when medically permissible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, Tucson Medical Center, Tucson, AZ, USA. chrisandluis@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Luis R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Leon
authors.forename: Joseph L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Mills
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000785:Aneurysm, Infected / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents