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.     

Prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm in patients with occlusive peripheral vascular disease

Over a 1-year period, 242 patients with peripheral vascular disease underwent abdominal ultrasonography to detect the presence of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. In 34 (14 per cent) an abdominal aortic aneurysm was found; half of these aneurysms were greater than 4 cm in diameter. In addition, 16 patients had ectatic aortas. Abdominal aortic aneurysms were more common in men than in women (17 versus 8 per cent). Patients with claudication were as likely to have an abdominal aortic aneurysm as those with rest pain or gangrene. The presence of aortoiliac occlusive disease increased the chance of an aneurysm being present (P less than 0.02). Patients with occlusive peripheral vascular disease are a high-risk group with regard to the development of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Patients with proximal occlusive disease represent a subgroup at even higher risk.     

Abdominal aortic aneurysm

Between 1981 and 1986, 282 cases of abdominal aortic aneurysm were diagnosed in Waltham Forest. Rupture had occurred in 183, 15 underwent urgent operation for intact aneurysm, and 84 had elective surgery. The incidence of rupture increased from 13 to 21 per 100,000 population during the 6-year period. Operative mortality for patients with rupture was 54.7 per cent, but the mortality overall was 81.4 per cent. In 59 per cent of patients with rupture no operation was performed, and 35.0 per cent of all deaths occurred in the community. The mortality for rupture in women was significantly higher than in men, although the operative mortality was comparable. Fifty patients (27 per cent) were found to have attended hospital within 2 years of rupture and many had documented evidence of an aneurysm. One-third of all patients admitted with rupture were undiagnosed. This study complements the previous small number of community studies and suggests that the incidence of rupture is increasing nationally particularly in women, where the mortality was exceptionally high. Early elective surgery is the key to the problem and improved clinical awareness could save many patients without elaborate and expensive programmes to screen the 'at risk' population.     

Abdominal aortic aneurysm as an incidental finding in abdominal ultrasonography

The difference between the mortality rate from ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (overall mortality rate 85-95 per cent and operative mortality rate 23-63 per cent), and that for elective aneurysm repair (less than 5 per cent) is dramatic. Awareness of the existence of an abdominal aortic aneurysm is therefore essential. Of 1800 consecutive patients aged greater than or equal to 50 years referred for their first abdominal ultrasonography, 113 who had been referred specifically for suspected abdominal aortic aneurysm or vascular screening were excluded. The remaining 1687 patients (693 men and 994 women) form the study group. Apart from the symptom-directed examination, the entire abdomen of every patient was routinely studied by ultrasonography. The definition of an abdominal aortic aneurysm was a local dilatation of the aorta with an anteroposterior diameter greater than 30 mm or greater than 1.5 times the anteroposterior diameter of the proximal aorta. In 82 cases (4.9 per cent) an abdominal aortic aneurysm was disclosed; 61 were in men (8.8 per cent) and 21 were in women (2.1 per cent). The prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm as an incidental finding in men aged greater than or equal to 60 years was 11.4 per cent. In every patient aged greater than or equal to 50 years undergoing their first abdominal ultrasonography examination, the aorta should be screened for the presence of an aneurysm.     

Abdominal pain: a surgical audit of 1190 emergency admissions

In an audit of 1190 emergency admissions with abdominal pain (1166 patients) in a general surgical unit, the diagnosis was non-specific abdominal pain (NSAP) in 415 (35 per cent), acute appendicitis in 200 (17 per cent) and intestinal obstruction in 176 (15 per cent). The largest number of admissions occurred in the age groups 10-29 years (31 per cent) and 60-79 years (29 per cent). Surgical operations were performed in 551 patients (47 per cent) and there was a 16 per cent incidence of unnecessary appendicectomy (22 per cent in the age group 20-29 years). Fifty-one deaths resulted in a 30-day hospital mortality rate of 4.4 per cent and a perioperative mortality rate of 8 per cent. The mortality rate increased significantly in patients aged greater than or equal to 60 years, and patients aged 80-89 years had a perioperative mortality rate of 20 per cent. The causes of perioperative death included laparotomy for inoperable disease (28 per cent), ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (23 per cent), perforated peptic ulcer (16 per cent) and colonic resections (14 per cent). The perioperative mortality rates for ruptured aneurysm and perforated ulcer were 71 and 23 per cent respectively. The duration of inpatient stay increased significantly with the age of the patients, including those with NSAP. The results of the study indicate a need to review the methods of management of ruptured aortic aneurysm and perforated peptic ulcer, the methods of diagnosis of appendicitis, particularly in young females, and the factors that determine the duration of stay of patients suffering from NSAP.     

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. Presented at the Fifteenth Annual Meeting of the Japanese Association for Cardiovascular Surgery, Kanazawa, Japan, May 17–18, 1985.     

Prevention of distal embolism during arterial reconstruction

Distal embolization of fragmented laminated thrombus and atheroma producing peripheral ischemia or gangrene is an underemphasized complication of arterial reconstruction. A set of techniques has been developed to minimize this important complication. To assess their effectiveness, the incidence of distal embolism in patients undergoing resection of abdominal aortic aneurysm with and without the use of these techniques was studied. In the 434 patients who underwent elective resection of abdominal aneurysm, measures to prevent distal embolism were used in all cases. The incidence of distal embolism was only 0.23 per cent (1 of 434), in contrast to reported incidences of up to 11 per cent. In the 21 patients who underwent emergency resection of ruptured aneurysm, these techniques were not used due to the need for early proximal control for resuscitation; distal embolism of atheromatous material occurred in 2 cases, an incidence of 9 per cent. The application of these techniques to other peripheral vascular procedures has resulted in similar low rates of postoperative distal ischemia.     

Final 12-year follow-up of surgery versus surveillance in the UK Small Aneurysm Trial

BACKGROUND: The aim was to determine whether early open surgical repair would benefit patients with small abdominal aortic aneurysm compared with surveillance on long-term follow-up. METHODS: The 1090 patients who were enrolled into the UK Small Aneurysm Trial between 1991 and 1995 were followed up for aneurysm repair and mortality until November 2005. RESULTS: By November 2005, 714 patients (65.5 per cent) had died, 929 (85.2 per cent) had undergone aneurysm repair, 150 (13.8 per cent) had died without aneurysm repair and 11 (1.0 per cent) remained alive without aneurysm repair. After 12 years, mortality in the surgery and surveillance groups was 63.9 and 67.3 per cent respectively, unadjusted hazard ratio 0.90 (P = 0.139). Three-quarters of the surveillance group eventually had aneurysm repair, with a 30-day elective mortality of 6.3 per cent (versus 5.0 per cent in the early surgery group, P = 0.366). Estimates suggested that the cost of treatment was 17 per cent higher in the early surgery group, with a mean difference of 1326 pounds. The death rate in these patients was about twice that in the population matched for age and sex. CONCLUSION: There was no long-term survival benefit of early elective open repair of small abdominal aortic aneurysms. Even after successful aneurysm repair, the mortality among these patients was higher than in the general population.     

The value of screening in siblings of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the incidence of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in a large group of siblings of Australian AAA patients to determine if screening in this group is justified. METHODS: 1254 siblings of 400 index AAA patients were identified and offered aortic ultrasound screening. An age and sex matched control group was recruited from patients having abdominal CT scans for non-vascular indications. AAA was defined by an infrarenal aortic diameter of > or =3 cm or a ratio of the infrarenal to suprarenal aortic diameter of > or =2.0. A ratio of 1.0-1.5 was considered normal, and a ratio of >1.5 to <2.0 was considered ectatic. Aortic enlargement was defined as ectasia or aneurysm. RESULTS: 276 (22%) siblings could be contacted and agreed to screening or had previously been diagnosed with AAA. All 118 controls had normal diameter aortas. 55/276 siblings had previously been diagnosed with AAA. The remaining 221 siblings underwent ultrasound screening. Overall, 30% (84/276) had enlarged aortas (5% ectasia, 25% aneurysmal); 43% of male siblings (64/150) and 16% of females siblings (20/126). The incidence was 45% in brothers of female index patients, 42% in brothers of male patients, 23% in sisters of female patients, and 14% in sisters of male index patients. CONCLUSIONS: The overall incidence of aortic enlargement of 30% found in this study warrants a targeted screening approach with ultrasound for all siblings of patients with AAA. A similar targeted approach for screening of the children of AAA patients would also seem advisable.     

Aneurysm of the infrarenal abdominal aorta

Preoperative and postoperative treatment as well as standardisation of surgical techniques over the past 20 years have helped to bring about considerable reduction of operative mortality in cases of asymptomatic aortic aneurysm. Yet, with all improvement, rupture of aneurysm has continued to be associated with high rates of mortality. At the Department of Surgery of Cologne University, between 1963 and 1985, operations were performed on 681 patients for abdominal aortic aneurysm. Asymptomatic aneurysm were surgically removed from 41.7 per cent of them, while 27.5 per cent underwent surgery in symptomatic stages. Aneurysm had ruptured in 210 patients. Operative mortality accounted for 5.3 per cent of all asymptomatic patients. High mortality rates among patients with ruptured aortic aneurysms were attributable to preoperative shock. Only 16.3 per cent of patients survived in this group. The mortality rate among patients without shock amounted to 39.5 per cent.     

Risk of aortic aneurysm surgery as assessed by preoperative gated heart pool scan

Gated heart pool scan measuring left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was performed preoperatively in 72 patients presenting for elective repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Patients with a positive cardiac history were more likely to have a LVEF of less than or equal to 45 per cent (P less than 0.001). The operative mortality rate was 4 per cent. Each of three patients who died had a LVEF less than or equal to 35 per cent and developed cardiac failure which led to renal failure. Five other patients developed cardiac failure manifested by acute pulmonary oedema during the early postoperative period. There was no statistically significant association between a positive cardiac history and the occurrence of postoperative cardiac failure or death. However, patients with a LVEF of less than or equal to 45 per cent were more likely to develop postoperative cardiac failure (P = 0.004) while patients with a LVEF of less than or equal to 35 per cent had a greater chance of dying (P less than 0.001). No patient died with a LVEF greater than 35 per cent. Preoperative evaluation of LVEF can select patients at high risk of cardiac death from repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Such patients could be followed conservatively if they remain asymptomatic and the aneurysm does not enlarge. If operation is considered mandatory, patients with a low LVEF should receive intensive perioperative monitoring with enhancement of ventricular performance.     

Abdominal aortic aneurysms in Western Australia: descriptive epidemiology and patterns of rupture

All abdominal aortic aneurysms presenting to hospitals and coroners in Western Australia over an 11-year period (January 1971 to December 1981) have been reviewed. A total of 1237 abdominal aortic aneurysms were found. After age and sex standardization it was apparent that the prevalence of diagnosis of abdominal aortic aneurysms had increased from 74.8 per 100 000 to 117.2 per 100 000 for men over 55 years of age (increase of 56.7 per cent) and from 17.5 per 100 000 to 33.9 per 100 000 for women over 55 years of age (increase of 93.7 per cent) during this period. One hundred and twenty-three patients were identified by coroner's autopsy after sudden death from ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms in whom there had been no previous diagnosis of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Between 1971 to 1981, 478 patients underwent surgery; 225 had elective resection of their aneurysm with a 4.0 per cent fatality rate, and 253 had emergency operations with a 31.2 per cent fatality rate. Seasonal variations contributing to the date of emergency presentation or death from rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysms indicated a possible influence of colder weather upon rupture. It is hoped that the information provided in this paper will be of use to surgeons and physicians involved in health care planning for similar populations.     

Age-standardized incidence of ruptured aortic aneurysm in a defined Swedish population between 1952 and 1988: mortality rate and operative results.

The incidence and mortality rate of ruptured aortic aneurysm in a defined and stable Swedish population was determined for the period 1952-1988. The annual rupture rate of abdominal aneurysm rose significantly from 0.9 per 100,000 inhabitants in the 1950s to 6.9 in the 1980s. After standardization for age, the mortality rate increased between 1960 and 1988 by 2.4 per cent annually (95 per cent confidence interval 1.2-3.6 per cent, P = 0.0004). Comparable figures from the UK during the 1980s have been reported to be two to three times higher. The mortality rate of ruptured thoracic aneurysm in the Swedish population did not increase when adjusted for age. In the 1980s the overall mortality rate of ruptured abdominal aneurysm was 85 per cent. Death occurred outside surgical clinics in 52 per cent of cases; 37 per cent of the total number of patients with ruptured aneurysm reached the operating table but only 30 per cent underwent aortic reconstruction. Patients treated by vascular surgeons had lower blood loss and transfusion needs, shorter aortic clamp time and operation time, and lower mortality rate than patients treated by non-specialized general surgeons. Specialized vascular surgeons also completed the reconstruction, and used straight grafts, in a higher proportion of cases than general surgeons.     

Abdominal aortic aneurysmorrhaphy and cholelithiasis in the era of endovascular surgery

The incidence of acute cholecystitis complicating standard abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair has been reported between 0.3 and 18 per cent. This has prompted considerable debate regarding the management of cholelithiasis discovered incidentally during open aortic reconstruction. This study seeks to determine the incidence of cholelithiasis and acute cholecystitis after endovascular AAA repair and evaluate options for management. Between February 1996 and October 2001 492 patients underwent endovascular AAA repair. All the procedures were performed in the operating room under fluoroscopic guidance. Epidural (98.9%), local (0.5%), or general (1.7%) anesthesia was used during these cases. The incidence of cholelithiasis and acute cholecystitis was evaluated by CT scan and abdominal ultrasound. Serum measurements of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total and direct bilirubin, and amylase were performed and clinical assessment was conducted at 1, 6, and 12 months postoperatively and annually thereafter. The mean age of these patients was 76.6 years; 84% were male. Comorbid medical conditions were present in all patients (average 3.5 conditions/patient). Follow-up ranged from 2 to 35 months (mean 12.8 months). Endovascular stent graft deployment was successful in 486 of the 492 patients (98.8%). Six patients were converted to standard open repair because of inability to achieve successful endovascular aneurysm repair. The perioperative major morbidity rate was 14.9 per cent. Minor morbidity rate was 8.5 per cent. The perioperative mortality rate was 1.9 per cent. No deaths were related to biliary disease. Cholelithiasis was identified in 64 (13%) patients preoperatively. One of 64 patients with a prior Billroth II reconstruction for peptic ulcer disease developed jaundice 8 days after AAA repair as a result of choledocholithiasis that required surgical repair. One patient without gallstones developed acute acalculous cholecystitis on postoperative day 16 as determined on pathologic analysis of the gallbladder. A third patient who had gallstones identified on preoperative CT scan developed calculous cholecystitis 16 months after endovascular AAA repair. These two patients underwent uncomplicated laparoscopic cholecystectomy and recovered uneventfully. The incidence of postoperative symptomatic cholelithiasis is 1.6 per cent (one of 64). The incidence of postoperative acute cholecystitis was 0.2 per cent (one of 486) and was unrelated to the presence of gallstones. The incidence of delayed symptomatic cholelithiasis was 1.6 per cent (one of 64). Endovascular repair of AAA does not appear to predispose the patient to the development of symptomatic cholelithiasis during the perioperative period. Therefore a preoperative or intraoperative diagnosis of cholelithiasis does not necessitate cholecystectomy in the setting of planned endovascular AAA repair. Patients who develop cholecystitis after endovascular AAA repair may be effectively treated by standard laparoscopic techniques.     

Surgical treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm in the high-risk patient.

In an attempt to define the preoperative risk factors that predictably influence mortality after aneurysmectomy, this study reviews the surgical management of abdominal aortic aneurysms in a series of 110 consecutive patients who underwent elective resection. The preoperative risks to be added to the present study included pulmonary insufficiency, renal dysfunction, advanced age of over 80 years, ischemic heart disease, and associated other diseases such as thoracic aneurysms, atherosclerosis of the limbs and malignant tumors. Forty-six patients had one of these risk factors (one-risk group), 17 had two (two-risk group), and 9 had three (three-risk group). The operative mortality rates were 4.2 per cent for the high-risk patients and 0 per cent for the patients at no risk. As the number of risk factors increased, aneurysm repair was associated with an increased operative mortality; being 2.2 per cent in the one-risk group, 5.9 per cent in the two-risk group and 11.1 per cent in the three-risk group. The common risk factor in patients who died after aneurysmectomy was pulmonary insufficiency which induced prolonged periods of assisted ventilation. Thus, the optimal management of high-risk patients, particularly those with pulmonary insufficiency, may reduce the mortality after aneurysmectomy.     

Ultrasonography in the acute abdomen

In a prospective study 152 consecutive patients presenting with acute abdominal pain were assessed clinically and an ultrasonographic examination was performed immediately. Of these, 16 (11 per cent) patients would normally have had an immediate ultrasonographic scan requested; routine (within 24 h of admission) ultrasonographic examination would have been requested in a further 66 (43 per cent) patients. In 70 (46 per cent) patients an ultrasonographic examination would not have been requested. Ultrasonography altered the diagnosis in one patient from probable appendicitis to cholecystitis. Ultrasonography missed one abdominal aortic aneurysm and one empyema of the gallbladder. Ultrasonography had a sensitivity of 96 per cent, a specificity of 94 per cent, a positive predictive value of 96 per cent, a negative predictive value of 94 per cent and an accuracy of 95 per cent in diagnosing appendicitis. Exactly the same values were found for the clinical diagnosis of appendicitis. The study shows that routine immediate ultrasonographic examination of the acute abdomen is rarely helpful, with the possible exception of appendicitis. Where an urgent ultrasonographic scan is necessary on clinical grounds the expertise of a radiologist is probably required, whereas in specific areas, for example in the diagnosis of right iliac fossa pain, there may be a place for training the surgical trainee.     

Gallbladder and extrahepatic biliary duct injury following abdominal trauma.

Extrahepatic biliary tract and gallbladder injuries are rare, but many occur after both blunt and penetrating abdominal trauma. During a 5-year period, 24 patients requiring laparotomy for abdominal trauma were found to have an extrahepatic biliary tract injury, representing 13 per cent of all patients admitted with hepatic trauma during the same period. The majority of patients had injury to the gallbladder; only one case of common bile duct injury was identified. Of the patients, 50 per cent had an associated hepatic injury; 17 per cent had important pancreatic trauma. Isolated gallbladder injury occurred in only 8 per cent of patients. The overall mortality associated with gallbladder trauma was 16 per cent. This uncommon injury usually results from severe trauma and is associated with a high incidence of other major visceral injuries.     

Acute pancreatitis after aortic surgery

Acute pancreatitis (AP) after aortic surgery has rarely been reported. A retrospective review of all abdominal and thoracoabdominal aortic operations complicated with AP from January 1982 to March 1992 was performed to study the presentation and outcome of this infrequently recognized complication. Thirteen cases of AP were found among 1965 abdominal aortic operations (0.7% incidence). The distribution of the original aortic operations was as follows: eight elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repairs, two aortoiliac grafts for aortoiliac occlusive disease, and three aortorenal bypasses. Two cases of pancreatitis complicated 170 thoracoabdominal aortic operations (1.2% incidence). Ten patients had mild pancreatitis, nine were discharged without any pancreatic complications after receiving supportive treatment. Five patients with severe AP died of multisystem organ failure despite aggressive surgical treatment; 4 had infected necrosis. The overall mortality was 40 per cent; severe AP resulted in a 100 per cent mortality. The diagnosis of severe AP was usually made in the second postoperative week, significantly later (P < 0.01) than for patients with mild disease. Typically, patients with mild AP presented with hyperamylasemia at a median of 5 postoperative days, and severe AP was found at reoperation or autopsy after a period of unexplained sepsis. Five patients with mild AP were found to have biliary tract stones, with one requiring endoscopic stone extraction. In conclusion, pancreatitis is an uncommon, although perhaps underreported complication. Underreporting may be due to a lack of hyperamylasemia when severe pancreatitis is diagnosed. The severe form is diagnosed late in patients with postoperative sepsis, associated with infected necrosis, and lethal. The complication may be reduced by incidental cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis.     

Mortality from ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm in Wales.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to identify the incidence of, and mortality in, patients with a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) reaching hospital alive in Wales. METHODS: Patients who presented with a ruptured AAA between September 1996 and August 1997 were analysed. Data were collected prospectively by an independent body, observing strict confidentiality. RESULTS: Some 233 patients with a confirmed ruptured AAA were identified, giving an incidence of eight per 100 000 total population. Some 133 patients (57 per cent) underwent attempted operative repair; 85 (64 per cent) of these died within 30 days. Of the 233 patients, 92 were admitted under the care of a vascular surgeon and 141 under a non-vascular surgeon. Vascular surgeons operated on 82 patients (89 per cent), of whom 50 (61 per cent) died, whereas non-vascular surgeons operated on 51 patients (36 per cent), of whom 35 (69 per cent) died. DISCUSSION: This study is unique as it is an independent prospective study of mortality in patients with a ruptured AAA who reached hospital alive. Mortality was independent of the operating surgeon, but vascular surgeons turned down significantly fewer patients than non-vascular surgeons (11 versus 64 per cent, P < 0.001).     

Preoperative spirometry predicts perioperative pulmonary complications after major vascular surgery.

This study determined utility of preoperative spirometry for prediction of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC) defined as pneumonia, ventilator dependence greater than 48 hours, and adult respiratory distress syndrome in 147 patients undergoing vascular surgery from June 1988 through March 1990 [39 aortic aneurysm repairs, 21 carotid procedures, and 87 operations for occlusive disease including aorto-ileofemoral, infra-inguinal, and visceral]. The incidence of PPC was 12.9 per cent, while cardiac complications (myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and ventricular arrhythmias) were present in 9.8 per cent. Prior or current smoking, which was present in 80 per cent, was not predictive of PPC. FEV1 was 2.2 +/- 0.7 L/s (mean +/- 1 SD). Abnormal FEV1 (2.0 or less L/s) was present in 42 per cent (n = 62). For FEV1 of 2.0 or less, PPC rate was 22.5 per cent versus 5.8 per cent for FEV1 greater than 2.0 L/s (P less than 0.005, Fisher exact). The incidence of PPC was 30.7 per cent for aortic aneurysm repair, 8.0 per cent for occlusive disease, and 4.7 per cent for carotid procedures. Abdominal aortic procedures (performed in 67 patients: 39 for aortic aneurysm repair and 28 for aortoiliac occlusive disease) were associated with a PPC rate of 22.4 per cent versus 5.0 per cent for "nonabdominal" procedures (P less than 0.002, Fisher exact). Life table analysis after surgery demonstrated decreased survival for patients with PPC (P = 0.031, Mantel-Haensel) during follow-up (250 +/- 165 days). PPC are associated with abnormal FEV1 and abdominal vascular procedures. In conclusion, preoperative spirometry is useful for the prediction of PPC after vascular surgery.