Surgical treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm in patients over seventy years old

Aneurysmectomy is generally the first choice as treatment in most patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm. However, justification of surgical procedures in the aged has been questioned, because of the risk which increases with chronologic age. In the present study, our experience with patients over 70 who underwent abdominal aortic aneurysmectomy is discussed. Forty patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm underwent surgery in our institution up to January, 1983. Ten of these patients were 70 years or older. Operation was performed electively in 6 and as an emergency in 4. The one operative death (10 per cent) was the case of a 74-year old woman with a ruptured aneurysm. The operative mortality was 17.5 per cent in patients under 70 years of age. It would appear that advanced age, per se, is not a contraindication for abdominal aneurysmectomy.