Abdominal aortic aneurysm with perianeurysmal fibrosis: experience from 11 Swedish vascular centers

Case records of 2026 patients operated on because of abdominal aortic aneurysms from 11 Swedish Vascular Centers were reviewed and revealed 98 cases (4.8%) of inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm. Also included in this case-control study was an analysis of a randomized group of 82 patients from the same centers who had noninflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms. Four inflammatory aneurysms were ruptured, compared with 16 in the noninflammatory group (p less than 0.01). A higher proportion of patients with inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms had symptoms that led to radiographic investigations. The median erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 39 mm versus 19 mm (26% of patients with inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms had erythrocyte sedimentation rates greater than 50 mm; p less than 0.001), and the serum creatinine level was increased in 27 and 8 patients (p less than 0.01) in the inflammatory and noninflammatory groups, respectively. Preoperative investigations revealed ureteral obstruction in 19 patients with inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms, of whom 12 had preoperative nephrostomy or ureteral catheter placement. At operation, 20 additional patients exhibited fibrosis around one or both ureters. Although ureterolysis was performed in 19 patients, preoperative and postoperative creatinine levels did not differ between these patients and the conservatively treated ones. Duration of surgery (215 vs 218 minutes), intraoperative blood loss (2085 vs 2400 ml) and complications did not differ significantly between the groups. Overall operative (30-day) mortality was equal (11% vs 12%) but was increased for patients undergoing elective surgery for inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms (9% vs 0%; p = 0.03).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Progress in the treatment of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm

This report summarizes the clinical, pathological, and surgical aspects of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. The significant risk of rupture of these aneurysms is well documented. Although large aneurysms are more prone to rupture, the risk of rupture of small aneurysms less than 4 cm in diameter is well established. While most aneurysms are a result of atherosclerosis, a small number are mycotic in origin or secondary to a dissection trauma or previous aortic surgery. Rupture of abdominal aneurysms occurs into the retroperitoneum in about ¾ of cases, and into the peritoneal cavity in the remainder. Occasionally rupture occurs into the small bowel or the inferior vena cava with fistula formation. The classical clinical features are abdominal or back pain, hypotension, and a pulsatile tender abdominal mass, but in many cases diagnosis has been delayed because of atypical presentations, in particular the absence of hypotension. Successful treatment requires immediate operation with control of the proximal abdominal aorta. Graft replacement is then performed. Avoidance of technical problems is essential, in particular damage to the great veins. Utilizing these principles we have achieved a major reduction in mortality rate in our own experience. In a series of 61 patients, overall mortality was only 14.8%. The causes of death were related to preoperative hypotension causing acute myocardial infarction, renal failure, and respiratory failure. The major factors responsible for these improved results were immediate operation with rapid proximal aortic control, avoidance of left thoracotomy, absence of technical errors, and expeditious completion of the surgical procedure. Despite these improved results, emphasis must continue to be placed on prevention of rupture by diagnosis and treatment of the unruptured aneurysm.     

Natural history of unruptured cerebral aneurysms of the unoperated and observed cases

PURPOSE: Natural history of unruptured cerebral aneurysms is still a matter of discussion. In this study, we investigated the prognosis of unruptured cerebral aneurysms of unoperated cases in a prospective design. METHODS: Between September, 1992 and December, 2001, we have encountered a 256 cases of unruptured cerebral aneurysms. Among them, 118 cases were observed and were checked every year for their status. The endpoint was designed as their death and aneurysm rupture. Their rupture rate, mortality due to aneurysm death, and the cause of death other than aneurysm were investigated. Univariate analysis, chi-square test was used as statistics. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered as significant. RESULTS: Annual rupture rate of unoperated unruptured cerebral aneurysms of size below 5 mm, between 5-15 mm, and over 15 mm increased according to the aneurysm size, 0.4%, 3.3% and 9.9% respectively. The sole risk factor for the feasibility of rupture of unruptured aneurysms was their size (p < 0.001). Aneurysm related mortality, however, was high in posterior circulation aneurysms. In patients under 70 years of age, 45% of patients died of cerebral aneurysms, but this rate decreased to 17% for patients over 70 years of age. CONCLUSION: The rupture rate of unruptured cerebral aneurysms over 5 mm in size is not low. Unruptured aneurysms of the posterior circulation may have a much higher risk of rupture, so further investigation is necessary.     

Collective experience with hybrid procedures for suprarenal and thoracoabdominal aneurysms

Not every patient is fit for open thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair, nor is every TAAA or juxtarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm suitable for branched or fenestrated endovascular exclusion. The hybrid procedure consists of debranching of the renal and visceral arteries followed by endovascular exclusion of the aneurysm and might be an alternative in these patients. Between May 2004 and March 2006, 16 patients were treated with a hybrid procedure. The indications were recurrent suprarenal or thoracoabdominal aneurysms after previous abdominal and/or thoracic aortic surgery (n = 8), type I to III TAAAs (n = 3), proximal type I endoleak after endovascular repair (n = 2), penetrating ulcer of the juxtarenal aorta (n = 1), visceral patch aneurysm after type IV open repair (n = 1), and primary suprarenal aneurysm (n = 1). Eight (50%) of 16 patients were judged to be unfit for open TAAA repair. The hospital mortality rate was 31% (5 of 16). Four of five deceased patients were unfit for thoracophrenic laparotomy. Two patients died from cardiac complications and three from visceral ischemia. No spinal cord ischemia was detected, and temporary renal failure occurred in four patients (25%). The mean follow-up was 13 months (range 6-28 months). During follow-up, no additional grafts occluded and no patients died. Hybrid procedures are technically feasible but have substantial mortality (31%), especially in patients unfit for open repair (80%). They might be indicated when urgent TAAA surgery is required or when vascular anatomy is unfavorable for fenestrated endografts in patients with extensive previous open aortic surgery.     

The need for quality assurance in vascular surgery

The need for quality assurance in vascular surgery can be deduced from the variability in unruptured abdominal aneurysm operative death rates in a group of patients large enough that factors influencing mortality rates other than quality of care can be controlled. Operative mortality rate for 3570 patients undergoing unruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm repair was determined for all non-Veterans Administration surgeons and hospitals in New York State from 1985 to 1987. The average annual number of aneurysm operations per surgeon was 3.6, and per hospital it was 10.2. Unruptured aneurysm repair mortality for surgeons performing 1 to 5 aneurysm operations per year was 10% whereas for surgeons performing more than 26 aneurysm operations per year it was 6% (p less than 0.0001). Unruptured aneurysm repair mortality for hospitals performing 1 to 5 aneurysm operations per year was 14% and for hospitals performing more than 38 aneurysm operations per year it was 5% (p less than 0.0001). Even when these mortality rates were adjusted for differences in patient age, severity of illness, secondary diagnoses and admission status, significant mortality rate differences persisted: 9% versus 4% for low and high volume surgeons, respectively (p less than 0.001), and 12% versus 5% for low and high volume hospitals, respectively (p less than 0.001). Surgeons who performed more than 7 aneurysm operations per year devoted more of their practice to aortic (11%) and vascular operations (52%) than did surgeons who performed 7 or fewer aneurysm operations per year (2% and 19%, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The value of computed tomography in the management of symptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysms

The use of computed tomographic (CT) scanning in the diagnosis of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm is controversial because the delay created by the procedure, it has been argued, may increase overall mortality. However, if emergency surgery can be avoided in the medically compromised patient, surgical results may improve. To assess the value of CT scanning, we studied the 1983 to 1988 records of 65 hemodynamically stable patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms, who underwent diagnostic CT scanning for acute abdominal or back pain. Twenty-one patients had a history of severe cardiac, renal, or pulmonary disease. The average duration of the examination was 63 minutes; no episodes of hypotension occurred. Subsequently, 17 of 18 patients with ruptured aneurysms had emergency surgery, with 31% morbidity and 29% mortality. Of 44 patients found to have nonruptured aneurysms, 13 had other causes for their pain, nine were not considered surgical candidates, and 24 had elective aneurysmectomies, with 8% morbidity and 0% mortality. In three patients CT scanning excluded the diagnosis of aneurysm. Additional information provided by CT scanning enhanced the safety of the perioperative management of four patients with rupture and 14 without. In conclusion, the delay imposed by obtaining a preoperative CT scan in patients with possible ruptured aneurysm did not adversely affect patient outcome, and the information obtained from it aided significantly in both preoperative and intraoperative management.     

Clinical management of the symptomatic but unruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm

Pain or tenderness of an abdominal aortic aneurysm is widely believed to signify acute expansion and imminent rupture. To assess the potential benefit of emergency operation for the group of patients with an acutely expanding aneurysm, the clinical course of 19 patients with a symptomatic but unruptured expanding abdominal aortic aneurysm was compared with 117 patients undergoing elective abdominal aortic aneurysm resection, and 69 patients having operation for a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. Postoperative morbidity was high in the patients with an expanding abdominal aortic aneurysm, and included a 21% incidence of myocardial infarction, a 10% incidence of stroke, a 37% risk of ventilatory failure, and a 31% incidence of acute renal failure, which was not statistically different from the results in patients having ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm resection. Patients undergoing elective abdominal aortic aneurysm resection had only an 8% risk of myocardial infarction, and only a 2% risk of stroke, ventilatory failure, or renal failure. The mortality rate for expanding abdominal aortic aneurysm resection was 26% compared to 35% for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (p = 0.31). Both emergency operations had a mortality rate more than five times greater than the 5.1% after elective procedures (p = 0.008). Our findings emphasize the need for early and aggressive treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm in the elective setting, even in the patient at high risk, and suggest that the preoperative assessment and modification of risk factors is important to prevent the cardiac, cerebrovascular, pulmonary, and renal complications seen accompanying an emergency operation of this magnitude.     

Abdominal aortic aneurysm in elderly patients: Selective management based on clinical status and aneurysmal expansion rate

The records of 125 patients 75 years of age or older with a diagnosis of unruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm were reviewed. Operative mortality was 4.3 percent in 69 patients considered at low risk and 39.8 percent in 13 patients at high risk who underwent aneurysmectomy shortly after diagnosis. Forty-three patients with an asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm initially measuring 3.5 to 6 cm did not undergo aneurysmal resection and were followed for 6 to 72 months (mean 24 months) with serial echography. The mean enlargement rate was 0.48 cm/year. In the 43 patients, resection of the abdominal aortic aneurysm was performed for aneurysmal expansion to greater than 6 cm, development of symptoms, or a sudden change in aneurysmal diameter. Two patients were lost to follow-up, 21 underwent elective resection, aneurysms ruptured in 2, 9 died from other causes, and 9 were alive and asymptomatic at last follow-up. An aggressive surgical approach seems appropriate, even in the asymptomatic elderly patient with a small aneurysm of 4.5 to 6 cm. Serial echographic measurement appears useful in determining which patients with a very small aneurysm of less than 4.5 cm or who are considered to be high risk surgical candidates require elective aneurysmectomy.     

Recent advances in the surgical treatment of aortic disease in Japan

The annual survey by the Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery in 2010 found that the nationwide hospital mortality rate after surgery was 11.1% in 3,628 patients with acute type A aortic dissection, 18.9% in 158 patients with acute type B dissection, 6.0% in 866 patients with chronic type A dissection, 6.6% in 724 chronic type B dissection, 4.3% in 6,348 patients with nondissection thoracic aortic aneurysm, and 24.8% in 715 ruptured thoracic aneurysms. For abdominal aortic aneurysms, the hospital mortality rate after elective surgery was 2.3% and 15.3% in ruptured aneurysms among 7,906 patients nationwide. These results are superior to the results of aortic surgery in Western countries.     

Long-term survival in patients undergoing resection of abdominal aortic aneurysm

The long-term survival of patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery is presented. Three-hundred and thirty-eight patients who presented with elective, urgent, or emergency abdominal aortic aneurysms, have been followed retrospectively for five years. We found no statistical difference in the long-term survival in these three groups of patients. As expected patients who had successful operation survived better than patients who were not offered surgery because of their poor medical condition. Interestingly, advancing years, history of myocardial infarction or hypertension did not significantly influence long-term survival.     

Current indication for endovascular treatment of thoracic aneurysms

The morbidity and mortality for open treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysms have declined over the years, but it is still a major clinical problem. The reason for the mortality is in almost 50% of the cases cardiac failure. Endoluminal treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm is widely distributed and with promising results, although not as free from complications as expected 10 years ago. This technique has also been adopted for the thoracic aortic aneurysm as the trauma is much less than in open surgery. In our own personal series no specific workup for coronary heart disease has been made and the mortality of stentgrafting of the thoracic aorta was 2.4%. A survey of the world literature, including elective and acute dissections and aneurysms revealed 642 patients treated with stentgraft with a mortality of 6.2%, although no cardiologic work up had been performed. These numbers compete well with those of open surgery, but a systematic prospective comparison would be needed in order to state the real mortality in both groups.     

Aortic aneurysm repair. Reduced operative mortality associated with maintenance of optimal cardiac performance.

Recent advances in the operative management of aortic aneurysms have resulted in a decreased rate of morbidity and mortality. In 1972, we hypothesized that a further reduction in operative mortality might be obtained with controlled perioperative fluid management based on data provided by the thermistor-tipped pulmonary artery balloon catheter. From 1972 to 1979 a flow directed pulmonary artery catheter was inserted in each of 110 consecutive patients prior to elective or urgent repair of nonruptured infrarenal aortic aneurysms. The slope of the left ventricular performance curve was determined preoperatively by incremental infusions of salt-poor albumin and Ringer's lactate solution. With each increase in the pulmonary arterial wedge pressure (PAWP), the cardiac index (CI) was measured. The PAWP was then maintained intra- and postoperatively at levels providing optimal left ventricular performance for the individual patient. There were no 30-day operative deaths among the patients in this series and only one in-hospital mortality (0.9%), four months following surgery. The five-year cumulative survival rate for patients in the present series was 84%, a rate which does not differ significantly from that expected for a normal age-corrected population. Since the patient population was unselected and there were no substantial alterations in operative technique during the present period, these improved results support the hypothesis that operative mortality attending the elective or urgent repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm can be minimized by maintenance of optimal cardiac performance with careful attention to fluid therapy during the perioperative period.     

One surgeon's ten-year experience with abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery in smaller community hospitals

The results of one surgeon's 10-year experience with surgical treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms are reviewed. There were 64 elective operations, eight operations on expanding aneurysms, and 19 procedures done for frank rupture. The mortality rate was 4.2% for the nonruptured aneurysm group compared with 36.8% for those patients with rupture. It may be suggested from this study that surgical treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms can be done safely in low volume in smaller community hospitals and that such surgery need not be regionalized to larger institutions.     

Inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms: a thirty-year review

The operative records of 2816 patients undergoing repair for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) from 1955 to 1985 were reviewed. Inflammatory aortic or iliac aneurysms were present in 127 patients (4.5%), 123 men and four women. Most patients were heavy smokers (92.1%). Clinical evidence of peripheral arterial occlusive disease and coronary artery disease was found in 26.6% and 39.4%, respectively. Additional aneurysms occurred in half of the patients; iliac aneurysms were the most common (55 patients), followed by thoracic or thoracoabdominal (17 patients), femoral (16 patients), and popliteal aneurysms (10 patients). Ultrasound and computed tomography suggested the diagnosis in 13.5% and 50%, respectively; angiography was not helpful. Excretory urographic findings of medial ureteral displacement or obstruction suggested the diagnosis in 31.4%. The aneurysm was repaired in 126 patients. Only one patient experienced acute aneurysm rupture, but eight patients had chronic contained leakage. When compared with patients who have ordinary atherosclerotic aneurysms, patients with inflammatory aneurysms are significantly more likely to have an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR, 73% vs. 33%, p less than 0.0001); weight loss (20.5% vs. 10%, p less than 0.05); symptoms (66% vs. 20%, p less than 0.0001); and an increased operative mortality rate (7.9% vs. 2.4%, p less than 0.002). The triad of chronic abdominal pain, weight loss, and elevated ESR in a patient with an abdominal aortic aneurysm is highly suggestive of an inflammatory aneurysm and may be beneficial in the preoperative preparation of the patient for aneurysm repair.     

Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm: factors influencing operative mortality

Of fifty-eight consecutive patients surgically treated for aneurysm of the abdominal aorta, twenty were emergency cases following the rupture. Associated diseases were found in 85 per cent of patients; hypertension being the most common. Fifty per cent of patients were in shock on admission. The duration between rupture and operation was three hrs to two weeks with the average of 115.5 hrs. In six patients, the diagnosis of abdominal aortic aneurysm was known for over six months. The operative mortality rate in case of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm was 45 per cent. The most important determinants of survival were the incidence of shock on admission, the incidence of associated disease, the known duration of the aneurysm, and the time interval from rupture to admission. The intraoperative factors most influencing survival were the type of rupture, intraoperative hypotension, and total blood loss. Comparison of the mortality rate in elective surgery of abdominal aortic aneurysms (5.3 per cent) with that in ruptured aneurysms (45.0 per cent) suggests the necessity for early elective operations whenever abdominal aortic aneurysms are diagnosed.     

Abdominal aortic aneurysm in high-risk patients. Outcome of selective management based on size and expansion rate.

Low mortality rates for elective surgical treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms justify an aggressive approach in most patients. However, in high-risk patients with small aneurysms and no symptoms, the decision to operate remains a delicate balance of risk and benefit. Our observations include 99 high-risk patients with asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysms initially measuring 3 to 6 cm in the largest transverse diameter, who have been followed 1 to 9 years (average 2.4 years) with serial echographic measurements. Elective operations were performed for aneurysmal enlargement greater than 6 cm or symptom development. An additional 11 patients with aneurysms initially greater than 6 cm, whose initial evaluation did not result in elective surgery, were also followed. Serial data documented a mean expansion rate of 0.4 cm/year for aneurysms smaller than 6 cm. Forty-one of these 99 high-risk patients with small aneurysms eventually underwent an elective resection with two deaths (4.9%). Thirty-four patients (34%) died from causes unrelated to their unoperated aneurysms, and 21 patients (21%) are alive without symptoms. Three of the 99 patients suffered aneurysm rupture and emergency operation with two deaths. Thus, of the 99 high-risk patients with small aneurysms, four have died of elective aneurysm surgery or rupture (4%). A protocol of re-echo (or computerized tomography) examination at 3-month intervals appears to define which of these high-risk patients require elective aneurysm surgery, and has limited rupture to less than 5%. Improved criteria may emerge from recent advances in high-resolution computerized tomography.     

Low-dose aspirin may prevent growth and later surgical repair of medium-sized abdominal aortic aneurysms

Experimental data suggest that aspirin-induced platelet inhibition may retard growth of abdominal aortic aneurysms. In this article, whether low-dose aspirin use is associated with reduced aneurysm progression and subsequent need for surgery is examined. In this observational cohort study within a screening trial, 148 patients with small aneurysms (maximum diameter 30-48 mm) annually are followed. Patients were referred for surgery when the aneurysmal diameter exceeded 50 mm. Median follow-up time was 6.6 years. Among patients whose abdominal aortic aneurysms were initially 40 to 49 mm in size, the abdominal aortic aneurysm expansion rate for low-dose aspirin users compared with nonusers was 2.92 mm/y versus 5.18 mm/y (difference 2.27 mm/y, 95% CI, 0.42-4.11). No difference in expansion rates and risk ratios for operative repair was found for patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms <40 mm. For medium-sized abdominal aortic aneurysms, low-dose aspirin may prevent abdominal aortic aneurysm growth and need for subsequent repair, but residual confounding cannot be excluded.     

香港地区动脉瘤的治疗现状

目的 阐述香港动脉扩张性疾病的流行病学模式及主动脉瘤传统手术与腔内治疗术的发展现状。方法 分析香港医院管理局1999－2000年主动脉瘤统计数值,香港血管外科工作小组在公立医院主动脉瘤调查报告及香港大学外科学系血管外科833例患者经验。结果 主动脉瘤是香港地区目前第10大致命疾病,每年大概发现800例新病例,而主动脉瘤破裂率为10％,破裂病死率为80％。目前一半手术适应证为主动脉瘤破裂,有大比例患者未获手术治疗。在有经验的血管外科中心腹主动脉瘤择期手术病死率已下降至2％,而破裂手术病死率也降低为38％。结论 香港地区主动脉瘤发病率与世界发病率同步增加。近年腔内治疗术迅速发展,有一定的成效,但患者选择与随访至为重要。     

Surgical treatment of the aortic aneursysm

For 93 cases of thoracic and 118 cases of abdominal aneurysms, the over-all operative mortality rate was 24.7 per cent and 9.3 per cent, respectively. Although the over-all operative mortality rate for 37 patients with aneurysms of the ascending aorta or aortic arch had been 40.5 per cent, recent advances in surgical technique led to a higher survival rate so that since 1975 no death occurred among 14 consecutive surgery cases. Cardiopulmonary bypass with or without selective perfusion of the carotid arteries or temporary external bypass procedures were employed in these 14 cases. The over-all operative mortality rate for 56 patients with aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta was 14.3 per cent. Temporary external bypass prodedures were employed in 49 cases. The operative mortality rate for 99 patients with unruptured abdominal aneurysms was five per cent, and that for 19 patients with ruptured aneurysms was 31.5 per cent.     

Surgical treatment of the aortic aneurysm

For 93 cases of thoracic and 118 cases of abdominal aneurysms, the over-all operative mortality rate was 24.7 per cent and 9.3 per cent, respectively. Although the over-all operative mortality rate for 37 patients with aneurysms of the ascending aorta or aortic arch had been 40.5 per cent, recent advances in surgical technique led to a higher survival rate so that since 1975 no death occurred among 14 consecutive surgery cases. Cardiopulmonary bypass with or without selective perfusion of the carotid arteries or temporary external bypass procedures were employed in these 14 cases. The over-all operative mortality rate for 56 patients with aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta was 14.3 per cent. Temporary external bypass procedures were employed in 49 cases. The operative mortality rate for 99 patients with unruptured abdominal aneurysms was five per cent, and that for 19 patients with ruptured aneurysms was 31.5 per cent.