Analysis of medical risk factors and outcomes in patients undergoing open versus endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

OBJECTIVE: The emergence of endovascular repair (ER) for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) has provided surgeons with a new technique that should ideally improve patient outcomes. To more accurately characterize the advantages of ER versus traditional/open AAA repair (TOR), we compared the preoperative medical risk factors (PMRFs) and perioperative outcomes (PO) of those patients undergoing elective treatment of infrarenal AAA with ER and TOR over a recent 18-month period at our center. METHODS: Through our institutional vascular surgery patient registry, all patients undergoing aortic aneurysm repair of any type between December 1999 and June 2001 were identified. Only those patients undergoing elective infrarenal AAA repair were analyzed. Hospital records were examined for all patients, and PMRF and PO were assessed via Society for Vascular Surgery/International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery reporting guidelines. Student t, chi(2), Fisher exact, or Wilcoxon rank sum tests were applied where appropriate to determine differences among PMRF and PO according to method of aneurysm repair. RESULTS: During the 18-month study period, a total of 199 aortic aneurysms were repaired at our institution. Ninety-nine elective infrarenal AAA repairs made up the study cohort (ER, n = 33; TOR, n = 66). When examined by method of aneurysm repair, no differences existed in demographics or AAA size. Patients undergoing ER had a significantly greater degree of preoperative pulmonary comorbidity than patients undergoing TOR (P <.001). However, no differences existed in terms of American Society of Anesthesiologists classification or cardiac (P =.52), cerebrovascular (P =.44), diabetic (P =.51), hypertensive (P =.90), hyperlipidemia (P =.91) or renal (P =.23) comorbidities between the two groups. Perioperative morbidity and mortality rates were also not significantly different by method of repair. ER was associated with shorter operative time, intensive care unit stay, and overall hospital length of stay (P <.0001). However, subsequent operative procedures related to the AAA repair were performed more frequently after ER (TOR = 1.5% versus ER = 15.2%; P = 0.015). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that ER offers improvements in hospital convalescent and operating room times but no beneficial impact on overall morbidity and mortality rates when similar PMRFs exist, especially when used at medical centers where low morbidity and mortality rates are already established for TOR. Other centers performing ER should undertake such an analysis to assess its impact on their patients.     

肾动脉水平以下腹主动脉瘤外科治疗的若干问题(附461例报告)

提高肾动脉水平以下腹主动脉瘤手术的安全性。方法：总结１９６０年１月～２００１年３月４６１例腹主动脉瘤切除、人造血管移植及腹主动脉瘤腔内隔绝术的经验。结果：随着腹膜后途径和小切口等技术的应用,动脉瘤近端血流控制、动脉瘤切除以及缝合修补和腔内隔绝术等方法的更新,使手术危险性明显降低,手术死亡率４．８％,５年存活率达７４．４％。结论：手术技术和麻醉监护的进步,使腹主动脉瘤的外科治疗变得更安全、迅速和方便。     

Blood loss and transfusion in elective abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative blood loss and transfusion are known determinants of mortality and morbidity of elective abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. The present study analysed the pattern of blood loss and transfusion and evaluated the risk factors of blood loss during open repair of infrarenal AAA. METHODS: Blood loss, transfusion and fluid replacement during elective open repair operation for patients with infrarenal AAA were correlated to demographic data, operative findings and procedural information. RESULTS: A total of 129 patients with a mean age of 71 years was analysed. The mean blood loss was 1000 +/- 887 mL (200-6000 mL). Blood transfusion, with a mean transfusion volume of 400 +/- 591 mL (0-3000 mL), was required in 46% of patients. Univariate analysis showed that bodyweight, renal impairment, low haemoglobin and platelet counts, iliac artery involvement, large aneurysm, bifurcated graft, large graft diameter, prolonged aortic clamp time and long operation time were associated with a higher blood loss. A haemoglobin level of <10.5 g/dL (relative risk (RR): 4.6), platelet count <130 x 10(9)/L (RR: 3.9), aortic clamp time >50 min (RR: 15), total operation time >200 min (RR: 11) and type of graft (RR: 3.5) were identified as independent determinants of blood loss on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative blood loss in elective infrarenal aneurysm surgery is influenced by patients' haematological parameters, distal involvement of aneurysm and degree of difficulty of operation.     

The impact of race and insurance type on the outcome of endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair

BACKGROUND: Although mortality and complication rates for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) have declined over the last 20 years, operative complication rates and perioperative mortality are still high, specifically for repair of ruptures. The goal of this study was to determine the influence of insurance type and ethnicity while controlling for the influences of potential confounders on procedure selection and outcome following endovascular AAA repair (EVAR). METHODS: Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database, we identified patients who underwent EVAR repair of ruptured and elective infrarenal AAA, between 1990 and 2003. Insurance type and ethnicity were analyzed against the primary outcome variables of mortality and major complications. The potential confounders of age, gender, operative location, diabetes, and Deyo index of comorbidities, were controlled. RESULTS: Bivariate analyses demonstrated significant differences between insurance types and ethnicity and mortality and complications. Patients who were self pay had adverse outcomes in comparison to Private insurance. Whites encountered less perioperative mortality and postoperative complications than Blacks and Hispanics. CONCLUSIONS: After controlling for previously identified associative factors for AAA outcome, ethnicity and insurance type does influence EVAR surgical outcome. Subsequent studies that break down emergent repair vs elective surgery and that longitudinally stratify delay in surgery, or time to admission may be useful.     

腹主动脉瘤96例的诊断与手术治疗

摘要：目的 探讨腹主动脉瘤(AAA)的诊断、手术方式的选择及并发症的防治。方法 回顾性分析14年余收治的96例AAA的诊断和手术治疗的临床资料。对82例肾动脉水平以下型AAA行动脉瘤切除人工血管置换术，12例肾下型行涤纶片动脉瘤体包裹术，2例肾动脉上型腹主动脉假性动脉瘤行側壁瘤体切除修补术。结果 主动脉造影、MRA或EBT可确定动脉瘤上界与肾动脉间的距离。93例获得临床治愈。手术死亡3例，手术病死率3.1%(3/96)；其中急诊手术病死率50.0%(2/4)，限期手术病死率1.1%(1/92)，两者差异显著（P<0.05）。6例术后出现乙状结肠缺血症状，2例肢体远端有缺血症状，2例急性肾功能不全，均经非手术治疗痊愈。手术并发症发生率21.3％。82例获随访，随访时间6个月至15年。术后5年生存率为81.7%。 结论 AAA切除人工血管置换术是治疗AAA的基本方法。     

The retroperitoneal approach combined with epidural anesthesia reduces morbidity in elective infrarenal aortic aneurysm repair

In elective open infrarenal aortic aneurysm repair the surgical approach and the use of epidural anesthesia (EDA) may determine patients' outcome. Hence we analyzed our results after elective open aneurysm repair in the light of the surgical approach and the use of EDA. Retrospective analysis of a prospective data base. From December 2005 to April 2008, 125 patients with infrarenal aortic aneurysm underwent elective open repair. Patients were divided into four groups: retro- and transperitoneal approach with and without epidural anesthesia (RP+/-EDA and TP+/-EDA). In terms of age, sex, aneurysm diameter, ASA score and clamping time all groups were comparable. In the retroperitoneal groups significantly more tube grafts were implanted (63 vs. 27; P=0.001). The rate of surgical complications did not differ between the groups. The RP+EDA group had the lowest rate of postoperative assisted mechanical ventilation (5.1% vs. 35.7%; P=0.002) and medical complications (17.9% vs. 42.8%; P=0.032). Concerning frequency of surgical complications, the retroperitoneal incision was comparable to the transperitoneal approach in infrarenal aortic reconstruction. Supplementation with EDA resulted in a decreased rate of postoperative assisted mechanical ventilation and in lower morbidity rates.     

Oxygen-dependent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease does not prohibit aortic aneurysm repair.

BACKGROUND: Severe oxygen-dependent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is considered by many to be a contraindication to open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. We reviewed our own experience with this patient population. METHODS: From July 1995 to March 1999, 14 consecutive patients limited by home oxygen-dependent COPD underwent elective open infrarenal AAA repair. Their medical records were reviewed. RESULTS: The mean aortic aneurysm size was 6.3 cm. The mean PaO2 = 70 mm Hg, PaCO2 = 45 mm Hg, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) = 34% of predicted, and forced vital capacity (FVC) = 67% of predicted. All 14 patients were extubated within 24 hours, mean length of hospital stay was 5.9 days, and there were no perioperative deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Severe home oxygen-dependent COPD is not a contraindication to safe elective open AAA repair.     

Epidemiological study of the relationship between volume and outcome after abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery in the UK from 2000 to 2005

BACKGROUND: The aim was to assess the relationship between hospital volume and outcome after abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) surgery in the UK. METHODS: Hospital Episode Statistics (2000-2005) were classified as elective, urgent or ruptured AAA repair. Analysis was by modelling of mortality rate, complication rate and length of hospital stay with regard to the annual operative volume, after risk adjustment. RESULTS: There were 112,545 diagnoses, or repairs, of AAAs, of which 26,822 were infrarenal aneurysms. The mean mortality rate was 7.4, 23.6 and 41.8 per cent for elective, urgent and ruptured AAA repair respectively. Elective AAA repair undertaken at high-volume hospitals showed volume-related improvements in mortality (P < 0.001). Patients were discharged from hospital earlier (P < 0.001). The critical volume threshold was 32 elective AAA repairs per year. For urgent repair, patients at high-volume hospitals had a reduced mortality rate (P = 0.017) with an increased length of stay (P = 0.041). There was no relationship between volume and outcome for ruptured AAA repairs. CONCLUSION: Increased annual volumes were associated with significant reductions in mortality for elective and urgent AAA repair, but not for repair of ruptured AAAs.     

Extra-anatomic arterial reconstruction with ligation of common iliac arteries and embolization of the aneurysm for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms in high-risk patients

PURPOSE: The mortality of an unrepaired abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) generally exceeds the mortality associated with surgical repair. However, as our longevity increases, more frequently we see patients whose risk of surgical repair approximates the risk of rupture. We present an extra-anatomic bypass graft with complete aneurysm exclusion by iliac ligation and coil embolization of the aneurysm as an alternative for these high-risk patients. METHODS: An extra-anatomic bypass graft, followed by bilateral iliac artery ligation (retroperitoneal approach) and complete coil embolization of the AAA, was performed in eight patients (mean age, 77 years) found to be at prohibitive operative risk because of multiple comorbidities (American Society of Anesthesiologists class IV). Most patients (5 of 8) were symptomatic on presentation with a mean AAA diameter of 7 cm (range, 6.7-9.5 cm). We repair approximately 30 infrarenal aneurysms per year electively at our institution. RESULTS: All patients tolerated the surgical procedures. The average hospital stay was 8 days. All but two aneurysms demonstrated complete thrombosis by 48 hours. After 48 months there was no incidence of graft thrombosis, peripheral ischemia, visceral ischemia or thrombus infection. There was one perioperative death from aspiration pneumonia. Seventy-five percent (6 of 8) of patients have survived at least 1 year without surgical complications. No patient has had a ruptured aneurysm. CONCLUSION: Combining an extra-anatomic bypass graft and complete exclusion of the AAA by ligation of the common iliac arteries and a coil embolization is an effective, less invasive treatment option for patients with AAA and prohibitive operative risk. We emphasize the need for complete embolization documented by decreased aneurysm size.     

Fenestrated and branched stent-grafting after previous surgery provides a good alternative to open redo surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To present our experience using fenestrated and branched endoluminal grafts for Para-anastomotic aneurysms (PAA) following prior open aneurysm surgery, and after previous endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) complicated by proximal type I endoleak. METHODS: Fenestrated and/or branched EVAR was performed on eleven patients. Indications included proximal type I endoleak after EVAR and short infrarenal neck (n=4), suprarenal aneurysm after open AAA (n=4), distal type I endoleak after endovascular TAA (n=1), proximal anastomotic aneurysm after open AAA (n=1), and an aborted open AAA repair due to bleeding around a short infrarenal neck. RESULTS: The operative target vessel success rate was 100% (28/28) with aneurysm exclusion in all patients. Mean hospital stay was 6.0 days (range 2-12 days, SD 3.5 days). Thirty day mortality was 0%. All cause mortality during 18 months mean follow-up (range 5-44 months, SD 16.7 months) was 18% (2/11) with no deaths from aneurysm rupture. Cumulative visceral branch patency was 96% (27/28) at 42 months. Average renal function remained unchanged during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Our report highlights the potential of fenestrated and branched technology to improve re-operative aortic surgical outcomes. The unique difficulties of increased graft on graft friction hindering placement, short working distance, and increased patient co-morbidities should be recognized.     

肾动脉下腹主动脉瘤腔内治疗后并发症的防治

目的　总结肾动脉下腹主动脉瘤腔内治疗后常见并发症的预防与处理。　方法对已施行腔内治疗的 71例肾下腹主动脉瘤患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析 ,讨论常见并发症发生的原因、处理、结果及预后。　结果　 71例接受腔内治疗的肾动脉下腹主动脉瘤患者技术成功率1 0 0 % ,无中转开腹手术者。原发性内漏 8例 ,神经并发症合并急性血栓形成 1例。一过性缺血性肠炎 2例。无肾动脉梗死、肢体栓塞等并发症。平均随访时间 (2 6± 5)个月。围手术期病死率 1 3 % (1 /71 ) ,总病死率 4 2 % (3/ 71 )。死亡原因 2例为急性心肌梗死 ,1例为急性心功能衰竭。随访过程中发现 3例原发性内漏转为持续性内漏 ,另发现继发性内漏 4例。本组患者 1个月后内漏发生率 9 8%(7/ 71 )。 2例继发性Ⅰ型内漏随访中瘤体增大 ,1例进行二期腔内治疗。　结论　动脉瘤的腔内治疗具有创伤小、技术操作可行、效果肯定的优点 ,内漏血是该技术主要并发症。对漏血量及瘤体有增大趋势的内漏应积极处理     

Hormonal stress response and hemodynamic stability in patients undergoing endovascular vs. conventional abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To investigate the effect of two different surgical techniques with different anesthetic modes on intraoperative and postoperative hormonal stress response, hemodynamic stability, fluid loading and renal function in patients scheduled for elective infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty consecutive patients scheduled for elective infrarenal AAA repair were allocated without randomizing into two groups: an endovascular (EVAR, n = 20) and a conventional (CAR, n = 20) aneurysm repair group according to aneurysm morphology as determined by preoperative computed tomography and angiography. The EVAR group were operated under spinal anesthesia and the CAR group using general anesthesia with epidural blockade. RESULTS: Patients undergoing CAR showed lower intraoperative mean arterial pressure and significantly higher plasma norepinephrine before aortic cross-clamping and significantly higher lactate after aortic declamping and postoperatively than patients in the EVAR group. Postoperatively, vasopressin and serum cortisol were also significantly higher in the CAR group. Fluid loading and estimated blood loss were more excessive in the CAR group. CONCLUSIONS: Stress response was lower and hemodynamic stability and lower body perfusion superior and renal function also better maintained in patients undergoing EVAR under spinal anesthesia as compared to those undergoing CAR using general anesthesia with epidural blockade.     

Measure what matters: institutional outcome data are superior to the use of surrogate markers to define "center of excellence" for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

Outcome analysis is increasingly being used to develop health-care policy and direct patient referral. For example, the Leapfrog Group health-care quality initiative has proposed "evidence-based hospital" referral criteria for specific procedures including elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (AAA-R). These criteria include an annual hospital AAA operative volume exceeding 50 cases and provision of intensive care unit (ICU) care by board-certified intensivists. Outcomes after AAA-R are reportedly influenced by presentation (intact vs. ruptured), operative approach (endovascular vs. open, transperitoneal vs. retroperitoneal), surgeon subspecialty, case volume (hospital and surgeon), and provision of postoperative care by an intensivist. The purpose of this study was to compare our single-center results with those of high-volume centers to assess the validity of the concept that surrogate markers, such as case volume or intensivist involvement, can be used to estimate procedural outcome. A retrospective review was performed of AAA-Rs at one low-volume academic medical center from January 1994 to March 2005. Demographic data, aneurysm diameter and location, operative indications, and repair approach were documented. Postoperative complications, mortality rates, and hospital and ICU length of stay (LOS) were noted and compared to established benchmarks. During the study period, 270 patients underwent AAA-R (annual mean = 27 hospital cases and 13.4 cases/attending vascular surgeon). ICU care was provided by a dedicated vascular surgery service without routine intensivist involvement. Open, elective, infrarenal AAA-R was performed in 161 patients (60%), with a 2.5% hospital mortality rate (30-day, 3.1%). Thirty-three (12%) patients underwent elective endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), with no mortality. Both ICU (3.7 vs. 1.4 days, p = 0.03) and hospital (9.2 vs. 2.8 days, p = 0.002) LOS were significantly reduced after EVAR compared to open repair. Hospital LOS was significantly lower after open retroperitoneal repair compared to transperitoneal repair (6.1 vs. 10.3 days, p = 0.001). Thirty-five patients (13%) underwent ruptured AAA-R, with only 34.3% mortality (in-hospital and 30-day). Forty-one patients (15%) underwent repair of complex aortic aneurysms, with 14.1% mortality. There are increasing societal and economic pressures to direct patient referrals to "centers of excellence" for specific surgical procedures. Although our institution meets neither of the Leapfrog Group's proposed criteria, our mortality and LOS for both intact and ruptured infrarenal AAA-R are equivalent or superior to published benchmarks for high-volume hospitals. Individual institutional outcome results such as these suggest that patient referral and care should be based upon actual, carefully verified outcome data rather than utilization of surrogate markers such as case volume and subspecialist involvement in postoperative care.     

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 ≥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 ≥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 ≥80 years. Cardiovascular risks factors did not differ between groups nor did complication rates for patients ≥80 and <80 years of age (19.1 and 19.8%, respectively). Mortality rates were not significantly different between groups (≥80 years: 6.25%; <80 years: 4.8%; P > 0.6). Conclusions: Age ≥80 years should not be an exclusion criteria when contemplating open elective AAA repair.     

The utility of commercially available endografts in the treatment of contained ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm with hemodynamic stability

PURPOSE: Food and Drug Administration-approved endografts are suitable for the elective repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) with favorable aneurysm anatomy. Our aim is to illustrate the feasibility and versatility of commercially available endografts for emergency AAA repair in hemodynamically stable AAA rupture. METHODS: From June 2001 to July 2002, five patients presented with severe abdominal pain and were diagnosed with contained rupture of an infrarenal AAA. In all cases, patients were deemed unfit to withstand conventional open repair by both the referring outside medical center as well as our center's team. All patients were hemodynamically stable on arrival at our medical center. Measurement and selection of endovascular devices were based on computed tomography (CT) scans performed emergently at the outside referring center. The required emergently procured endografts were obtained within 2 to 4.5 hours (mean, 3.1 hours) of presentation. Complex anatomy at the proximal and distal fixation zones or difficult access was present in every case. RESULTS: All patients survived endograft repair and had successful exclusion of their aneurysm sac on the basis of intraoperative arteriography and postoperative CT surveillance. All were discharged to home at baseline function within a mean of 6.8 days (range, 2-13 days). There were no deaths. There was one postoperative pulmonary embolism, one myocardial infarct, and one type 2 endoleak. Mean operative time and blood loss were 4.67 hours and 217 mL, respectively. At a mean follow-up of 18 months, CT scans showed stable or shrinking aneurysm sacs. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with contained ruptured AAAs who present with hemodynamic stability and comorbidities that preclude open surgery, commercially available endografts are a versatile treatment option even in the face of complicated aneurysm anatomy.     

Preoperative risk stratification in patients undergoing elective infrarenal aortic aneurysm surgery: evaluation of five risk scoring methods.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate five risk scoring methods in predicting the immediate postoperative outcome after elective open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). DESIGN: Retrospective evaluation of the Eagle score, Glasgow aneurysm score, Leiden score, modified Leiden score and Vanzetto score in a consecutive series of patients. PATIENTS: Two hundred and eighty-six consecutive patients undergoing elective infrarenal aortic aneurysm repair. RESULTS: Nine patients (3.1%) died in hospital and another 35 (12%) experienced severe postoperative complications. For the Glasgow aneurysm score, Leiden score, modified Leiden score and Vanzetto score receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis for prediction of in-hospital mortality showed area under the curve (AUC) of 0.749 (p=0.01), 0.777 (p=0.008), 0.788 (p=0.006) and 0.794 (p=0.005), respectively. The Eagle risk score was less accurate for predicting in-hospital mortality. The risk-scoring systems did not perform well in predicting post-operative complications, but multivariate analysis showed that the modified Leiden score was an independent predictor of postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: All scoring systems predict, with reasonable accuracy, the risk of in-hospital death in patients undergoing elective open repair of AAA, whereas the accuracy in predicting severe postoperative complications is less.     

Baseline oxygen delivery is associated with an increased risk of severe postoperative complications after elective open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm

AIM: Oxyhemodynamic parameters have been shown to have a relevant impact on the immediate postoperative outcome after major surgery, but it is not known their specific impact on the outcome after elective repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). METHODS: One-hundred and forty-one patients underwent elective open repair of infrarenal AAA and hemodynamic parameters were monitored perioperatively. RESULTS: One patient (0.7%) died postoperatively, 23 (16.3%) experienced a myocardial ischemic event and 9 of them (6.4%) had a myocardial infarction. Baseline oxygen delivery was not predictive of such myocardial ischemic events. Thirty-three patients (23.4%) suffered severe postoperative complications. The median baseline oxygen delivery was 429.5 mL/min/m2 among patients who had severe postoperative complications, whereas it was 505.5 mL/min/m2 among those who did not have severe complications (p=0.03). However, this parameter did not retain its significance at multivariate analysis. When only the preoperative variables were included in the logistic regression model, the Glasgow Aneurysm Score (P=0.004, Oddsratio 1.94, 95% C.I. 1.24-3.05) was the only predictor of severe postoperative complications. The Glasgow Aneurysm Score was significantly correlated with baseline oxygen delivery (P=-0.256, P=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Baseline oxygen delivery is associated with an increased risk of severe postoperative complications after elective open repair of AAA. The value of preoperative optimization of oxygen delivery should be evaluated in this patient population.     

Peroperative factors influencing the outcome of elective abdominal aorta aneurysm repair.

PURPOSE: To identify perioperative variables which may influence mortality of elective abdominal aneurysm repair (AAA). METHOD: prospective study of patients undergoing elective AAA repair between 1986 and 1997. RESULTS: Four hundred and seventy patients (438 men, 32 females) with a mean age of 69.4+/-13 years and aneurysms with a diameter of 60+/-3 mm were operated on with a 1-month mortality rate of 5.3%. Multivariate analysis identified the following independent risk factors for mortality: age >70 (p<0.0001), a past history of myocardial infarction (p<0.0001), preoperative renal insufficiency (p<0.0001), reoperation (p<0.0001), colonic necrosis (p<0.0001), and severe postoperative medical complications (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Intra- and postoperative events affect the outcome of AAA repair, independently of preoperative factors, and should be described when presenting the results of AAA repair.     

Optimal timing of abdominal aortic aneurysm repair after coronary artery revascularization.

OBJECTIVE: The authors ascertained the optimal timing of repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) after coronary artery revascularization. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Cardiac events are the most common cause of death after elective repair of AAA. Preoperative coronary revascularization has significantly reduced postoperative cardiac complications after elective AAA repair. Currently, most patients undergo repair of asymptomatic AAA within 6 months after the coronary revascularization. METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent repair or scheduled repair of an asymptomatic AAA within 6 months after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) between March 1988 and October 1993. RESULTS: There was no mortality in the group of patients (n = 14) who underwent repair of AAA simultaneously or within 14 days of coronary revascularization. In contrast, there was a significantly increased mortality rate of 3 of 9 (33%) in patients scheduled to undergo repair of the AAA more than 2 weeks after coronary revascularization (p < 0.05). All nonsurvivors died between 16 and 29 days after CABG, and died as a result of ruptured AAA. CONCLUSION: Elective AAA repair should be undertaken simultaneously or within 2 weeks of coronary artery revascularization because of an increased risk of postoperative AAA rupture seen after this time period. In addition, simultaneous or early postoperative AAA repair does not increase the overall operative risk.     

Midline retroperitoneal versus midline transperitoneal approach for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the midline retroperitoneal approach with the midline transperitoneal approach for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair with respect to operative details, gastrointestinal complications, and wound complications. METHODS: From January 1990 through January 1998, 128 patients underwent elective aortic reconstruction for infrarenal AAA. Of these, 64 patients (the transperitoneal group) underwent conventional transperitoneal midline aortic exposure, whereas the remaining 64 patients (the retroperitoneal group) underwent retroperitoneal midline exposure of the aneurysm. RESULTS: Preclamp time, that is, the time from skin incision to aortic clamping, was significantly shorter in the transperitoneal group than in the retroperitoneal group (P <.001). However, the midline retroperitoneal approach was associated with decreased incidence of ileus (P <.01), earlier resumption of oral intake (P <.01), and decreased wound pain (P <.01), in comparison with the transperitoneal approach. Furthermore, there was no incidence of wound complications such as abdominal bulge or wound pain in any of the patients in the postoperative period or over the long term. CONCLUSIONS: The midline retroperitoneal approach for AAA was associated with fewer postoperative gastrointestinal and wound complications than the midline transperitoneal approach. Over the long term, there was no wound complication such as abdominal bulge and wound pain in any of the patients.