Surgical Treatment and Prognosis of Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the diagnostic methods, therapy and the prognostic factors for the ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (RAAA). Methods The clinical data of 23 patients (males 15, females 8, age range 35-78, mean age 65) with RAAA below the level of renal arteries, who were treated with surgery, were collected from April 1999 to December 2005 and were analyzed retrospectively. Seven cases had a history of RAAA, 6 cases had pulsating abdominal masses; 15 cases were diagnosed by emergency Doppler ultrasonic examination or CT. All of the patients underwent emergency surgical operation The ruptures of the abdominal aorta below the level of renal arteries were obstructed by using clamp ring or using transluminal ballon according to conditions of each patient. The aritficial vascular graft was then taken after the control of hemorrhage. Results There were 9 (39%) patients died within 30 d after the emergency operation. The causes of death included acute renal failure because of hemorrhagic shock (4 cases), multiple organ failure (3 cases), and respiratory-circulatory failure (2 cases). Conclusion Surgery may be an effective treatment for RAAA. The critical step of the operation was to control hemorrhage by obstructing the proximal end of the aortic rupture according to the conditions of each patient. The main postoperative complications and causes of death include acute cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, renal failure and pneumonia.