Identification of abdominal aortic aneurysm patients with different clinical features and clinical outcomes

To determine the clinical characteristics and factors influencing outcome in patients with atherosclerotic abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA), 526 patients who underwent aneurysmal resection were retrospectively reviewed: Group I had clinical evidence of atherosclerotic occlusive disease; Group II had no evidence of atherosclerotic occlusive disease. The incidence of ruptured AAA, multiple aneurysms, and a family history of AAA was higher in Group II patients. We concluded that patients with AAA and without atherosclerotic occlusive disease in other areas represent a subgroup with peculiar clinical characteristics. In planning operative treatment and during the follow-up period, it should be kept in mind that Group II patients have a higher incidence of aneurysm rupture; the incidence of late pseudoaneurysm is higher; and there is a greater possibility of aneurysm in other arterial segments. It remains to be seen if the pathogenetic mechanism of AAA formation in Group II patients is different from that in Group I patients.