Gender Influence on Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Surgery in a Caribbean Population

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Epidemiology
• Aortic Aneurysm Disease

Background:

• Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are less common in women, who are typically older and have poorer outcomes than men.
• Previous studies indicate gender-based disparities in AAA prevalence, age of presentation, and surgical outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate gender-specific characteristics and surgical outcomes of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) in a Caribbean population.
• To compare the presentation and outcomes of female AAA patients with their male counterparts in this unique demographic.

Main Methods:

• Prospective data collection and retrospective analysis of AAA patients who underwent surgical repair between 2001 and 2018.
• Comparison of demographic data, aneurysm size, surgical procedures, and mortality rates between male and female patients.

Main Results:

• Nine (20.5%) female patients underwent AAA repair, with a mean age of 60.8 years, significantly younger than the 35 male patients (mean age 73.4 years).
• Female patients had similar aneurysm diameters and comparable surgical outcomes, including mortality rates (one female fatality vs. eight male fatalities), to male patients.
• Younger patients, including females between 40-49 years, demonstrated good surgical results.

Conclusions:

• Female patients in this Caribbean cohort presented with AAAs at significantly younger ages than typically reported, challenging established demographic norms.
• Despite younger presentation, female AAA patients experienced similar surgical outcomes to their male counterparts, indicating potential differences in disease etiology or management effectiveness in this population.
• Genetic, ethnic, or lifestyle factors unique to the Caribbean may contribute to the earlier onset and comparable outcomes observed in female AAA patients.