[Intra- and postoperative complications in infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms]

Patients scheduled for operation of an abdominal aortic aneurysm are a challenge to the anesthesiologist due to multiple coexisting diseases and serious intraoperative hemodynamic changes caused by cross-clamping. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of intra- and postoperative complications and to analyze the coexisting diseases in order to estimate complications and risks.

The charts of 72 patients scheduled for resection of an abdominal aortic aneurysm in 1984 and 1985 were retrospectively analysed. The patients are divided into 6 groups: E: elective operation; K: without pulmonary catheterization; N: emergency operation; R: ruptured aneurysm; D: acute dissection. The statistical analysis was performed by chi-square test.

Patients monitored by Swan-Ganz catheter suffered more frequently from chronic obstructive or restrictive pulmonary diseases and coronary heart disease or cardiac failure. INTRAOPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS: Emergency patients showed more than twice as many intraoperative cardiovascular complications than scheduled patients; 3 fatal cases were observed in this group. Renal complications (anuria) occurred in 2% during elective operations and in 30% during emergency operations.

Most of the postoperative complications - 75% - were associated with the cardiovascular system, followed by disturbances of gas exchange and hypoxemia. Two patients in group E had a short-lasting renal insufficiency; 1 patient died of myocardial infarction 3 weeks postoperatively. Emergency procedures were much more risky, with a 90% incidence of cardiovascular complications; 4 patients died within 5 days, 1 other after 1 week. Patients monitored by Swan-Ganz catheter showed more arrhythmias and hypotension than the others. Atelectasis was seen on X-rays in 46% of emergency patients, 35% of group P, and 2.6% of group K.

Retrospective studies of special and high-risk patients are very useful in assessing the individual clinical standard, despite problems with data acquisition. This study permitted the assessment of perioperative complications and risks in these patients.