title: Outcomes of regional transfers of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm in a UK vascular network.
abstract: INTRODUCTION Rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysm is a surgical emergency. In order to improve operative outcomes, vascular services have been centralised in the United Kingdom. This means that a patient may present to a hospital with a ruptured aneurysm, but require transfer to a vascular centre for definitive treatment. METHODS This retrospective cohort study identified patients who underwent surgery for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm in a tertiary vascular centre over a 2-year period. Data on demographics and originating unit were recorded. Outcomes assessed included 30-day mortality, operative mortality and postoperative morbidity. RESULTS We identified 70 patients who underwent surgery for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm in the 2-year period; 36 presented directly to the vascular unit (VU), 14 to referral unit 1 (RU1) and 20 to referral unit 2 (RU2); 30-day mortality rates were 27.7% (VU), 35.5% (RU1) and 30.0% (RU2), respectively. There was no statistical difference in mortality between units. Postoperative complications were seen in 35.9% of VU patients, 78.6% of RU1 patients and 70% of RU2 patients. This was statistically significant between VU and RU1 (P = 0.006) and VU and RU2 (P = 0.02). Direct operative complications were seen in 9 patients, gastrointestinal complications in 9, limb complications in 6 and systemic complications in 40. CONCLUSION This study found that site of presentation does not affect mortality but is associated with increased morbidity. This is a complex issue, which will require a prospective multicentre study to investigate further.
authors: Sheffield Vascular Institute, Northern General Hospital , Sheffield UK.
authors: V K
authors: VK
authors: Proctor
authors: Department of General Surgery, Northern General Hospital , Sheffield , UK.
authors: M J
authors: MJ
authors: Lee
authors: Sheffield Vascular Institute, Northern General Hospital , Sheffield UK.
authors: A H
authors: AH
authors: Nassef
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061646:Operative Time; D010360:Patient Transfer / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Abdominal aortic aneurysm; Complications; Ruptured aneurysm; Transfer