Infected aneurysms of the suprarenal abdominal aorta

Infected aneurysm of the suprarenal abdominal aorta is rare and can be fatal without surgery. There have been only sporadic case reports or small case series. We review our experience with 14 patients over 13 years.

Retrospective chart review.

Between 1997 and 2010, 14 cases of infected aneurysms of the suprarenal abdominal aorta were treated at our hospital. There were 11 men with median age of 75.5 years (range, 35-88). Of the 13 pathogens isolated, the most common responsible microorganism was nontyphoid Salmonella in eight (62%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus in three (23%) and Streptococcus in two patients (15%). At the first admission, six patients had medical treatment alone, five patients underwent early open in situ graft repair, and three patients underwent hybrid endovascular stenting and visceral debranching. Of the six medically treated patients, two patients died in the hospital because of aneurysm rupture, and two patients underwent late open in situ graft repair because of aneurysm progression or rupture. Of the five open surgically treated patients, one patient died in the hospital because of nosocomial sepsis, and four patients were alive without major postoperative complication. Of the three endovascularly treated patients, one patient died in the hospital because of intestinal ischemia, one patient died 6 months later because of postoperative complication, and one patient was alive with complications of paraplegia, renal failure, and permanent dialysis. The aneurysm-related mortality rate was 33% (2/6) in medical treatment alone, 20% (1/5) in open in situ grafting, and 67% (2/3) in hybrid endovascular stenting.

Infected aneurysm of the suprarenal abdominal aorta was rare. Nontyphoid Salmonella was the most common responsible microorganism. Open in situ graft repair remained a preferred and durable treatment strategy.