[Risk factors for early fatality of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms]

Early mortality (EM) following surgery for ruptured abdominal aneurysm continues to be extremely high. In the literature EM still ranges between 30 and 85%, despite improvement of surgical intervention and perioperative management in the recent years. Numerous studies investigate intra- und postoperative parameters, but little is known about preoperative transportation circumstances and the clinical condition prior to intervention. The transportation system at our clinic allowed a complete retrospective assessment of these parameters which were included into the evaluation of the risk factor analysis of the study. From 1974 to 1986 142 patients (131 male, 11 female, mean age: 68.8 years [46-89 years]) were operated on ruptured abdominal aneurysms. Time intervals prior to admission and surgical intervention as well as perioperative data were retrospectively assessed. The patients were divided in: deceased (D) within 30 days and survivors (S). Late survival was assessed either by letter or telephone interview. Age and sex showed no influence on the early mortality. Transportation time and time interval: admission/operation were similar in both groups. The shockindex showed a significant difference. D: 1.1 +/- 0.27; S: 0.8 +/- 0.16. Anuria was seen in 66% of the diseased and 26% of the surviving patients. If free perforation was detected 20 of 30 patients died. The total amount of transfusion differed significantly: D: 6.8 +/- 2.51; S:3.9 +/- 2.01. If diaphragmal X-clamp was necessary 7 of 8 patients died. The necessity of catecholamine support postoperatively was 64% for deceased patients. Dialysis was necessary in 77.8% of the deceased patients. 84% of D developed an ileus and 67% of D developed a pneumonia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)