[Morbidity and mortality following resection of an aortic aneurysm in the aged]

From August 1984-August 1985 118 abdominal aortic aneurysms were treated surgically in the City Hospital Nuremberg. The mean age was 68.9 years, with 26.3% being over 75 y.; and there was a notable decline of elective procedures in this group, which was particularly jeopardized by cardial arrhythmias and renal insufficiency. The lethality was 0 in elective procedures, but reached 50% for symptomatic and over 50% for perforated aneurysms in the old age group. The high lethality of ruptured aortic aneurysms justify elective operation of aortic aneurysms in high age.