Ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysms: A study of incidence and mortality rates

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and mortality rate of ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) in a well-defined population.Methods: Retrospective analysis of compiled data from multiple registries in Stockholm, Sweden was performed.Results: Eighty-two and 76 cases were identified from 1980 and 1989, respectively, for an equal incidence of 5 per 100,000. Forty-one percent of the patients were alive on arrival at an emergency hospital, but the overall mortality rate was 97% to 100%.Conclusions: The mortality rate of ruptured TAA is high. To decrease this high mortality rate, efficient screening methods for the diagnosis of TAA must be worked out, characteristics indicating high risk of rupture must be identified, and efforts should be made to increase the number of operations for ruptured TAA. (J VASC SURG 1995;21:985-8.)