Predictors for outcome after open and endovascular repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms

Objectives. The aims of the present study were to analyze patient- and management-related predictors for outcome after open (OR) and endovascular repair (EVAR) of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA). Design. Retrospective study. Materials. The in-hospital registry of Malmo University Hospital identified 162 patients operated on due to rAAA between 2000 and 2004. Methods. Patient- and management-related predictors for outcome were analysed. Results. Preoperative CT in 39 out of 62 circulatory unstable patients was not associated with increased mortality (P = 0.60). There was a significant increase in repairs performed by EVAR during the study period (p < 0.001), and in 2004 EVAR exceeded the annual rate of OR. Patients in the EVAR group were older (p = 0.025), whereas patients in the OR group more often suffered from unconsciousness after presentation (p = 0.004). Age, unconsciousness after presentation and haemoglobin were significantly associated with in-hospital mortality when tested in a multivariate logistic regression model (p = 0.002, p = 0.003 and p < 0.001, respectively). The in-hospital mortality for patients undergoing OR and EVAR was 45% (48/106) and 34% (19/56), respectively (p = 0.16). Diagnosis of abdominal compartment syndrome (p = 0.005) and intestinal infarction (p = 0.002) was associated with poor survival. Conclusions. Patient-related factors such as age, loss of consciousness and haemoglobin predicts outcome in a population where both emergency OR and EVAR for the treatment of rAAA is feasible.