Endovascular Repair of Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Feasibility and Impact on Early Outcome

PURPOSE

Open repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) still has a high associated mortality rate. The impact of the introduction of endovascular treatment on the early outcomes of ruptured AAAs was examined at a single institution. The suitability of acute endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in patients with ruptured AAAs was also assessed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective review was conducted in 39 consecutive patients treated for ruptured AAA from 2001 to 2004. The patients were divided into 15 who underwent open repair from 2001 to 2002 (group I) and 24 who were treated with open repair (n = 13; 54%) or endovascular repair (n = 11; 46%) from 2003 to 2004 (group II). Hospital charts and computed tomographic scans were reviewed to evaluate the feasibility of EVAR.

RESULTS

Age, sex, and aneurysm size were similar between the two groups. The 30-day mortality rates were 53% in group I and 8% in group II (P = .003). Median procedure times were shorter in the patients who underwent EVAR. Intensive care unit stay and hospital stay were 22.0 days ± 29.6 and 29.7 days ± 33.8, respectively, in group I, and 5.6 days ± 4.4 and 16.1 days ± 10.9, respectively, in group II (P ≤ .03). Eleven patients were found ineligible for EVAR as a result of an unsuitable neck (n = 5) or iliac arteries (n = 3) or both (n = 3). No graft failure was detected during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

After introduction of acute EVAR, a total of 46% of patients with ruptured AAAs were treated with the procedure. Potentially, 54% of patients could have been suitable for EVAR. Endovascular stent-graft implantation has significantly improved outcomes in ruptured AAAs and may therefore be beneficial in the overall treatment strategy in these patients.

Abbreviations:  AAA, abdominal aortic aneurysm , EVAR, endovascular aortic repair