Abstract

COELHO, Andreia et al. Abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture: what is the real prevalence in patients with no criteria for screening or elective repair?. Angiol Cir Vasc [online]. 2017, vol.13, n.2, pp.35-41. ISSN 1646-706X.

Introduction: The rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is frequently fatal and accounts for nearly 1% of all deaths. Data from literature states that screening is cost effective in male patients over the age of 65 with a 44% reduction in AAA related mortality. UK small aneurysm trial participants and other trials concluded that there was no long-term survival benefit of early elective open repair of small AAA (40-55mm). However when these trials began, endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) was not an option. Since many consider that EVAR is easier in smaller aneurysms, trials of early endovascular repair versus surveillance for small AAA are ongoing. The purpose of this study was to identify the proportion of abdominal aortic aneurysm ruptures that occur before the screening age or threshold diameter for operative repair is reached. Methods:The clinical data of all patients admitted in our hospital with the diagnosis of ruptured AAA from January 2007 to December 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Results:A total of 60 patients were included in this study, 52 males and 8 females. Mean age at rupture was 74.6±9.5years. Eleven patients (18.3%) were younger than 65 years, with 21.1% of males and no females under the age of 65. Mean aneurysm diameter at rupture was 72.8±20mm. 12 patients (20%) had aneurysm size inferior to 55mm at rupture, and only in one of those infectious etiology was confirmed by histologic analysis. Female rupture below 55 mm reached 37.5% and male rupture reached 15.4%, with no statistically significant difference probably because of the small number of female patients. Between male patients, rupture occurred at a significantly inferior diameter in smokers (p<0,05). CONCLUSIONS: The data from this study show that a 21% of men would not make it to the screening age of 65 before AAA rupture. It also shows that 20% of patients treated for ruptured AAA were below 55 mm diameter. Data from this study also support the previous finding that aneurysm size at the time of rupture is significantly smaller in male smokers.

Keywords : Abdominal aortic aneurysm; Screening; Primary prevention; Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm; Risk factors.

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