Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal

Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
Abdominal aortic aneurysm is a common disease of the elderly, with a complex etiology.
OBJECTIVE:
This study aimed to review the management and the outcomes of surgical treatment of the abdominal aortic aneurysm.
PATIENTS AND METHODS:
This is a retrospective study of 20 patients who had been referred to the surgical department at Ibn al-nafees hospital from 1st of January 2007 to 31th of December 2011 as cases of abdominal aortic aneurysm. The clinical features, imaging techniques, surgical operations, morbidity, mortality and follow up were analyzed.
RESULTS:
out of 20 patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm, there were 16 male and 4 female patients in a ratio 4:1.70% were smokers ,20% were diabetics and 65% were hypertensive .History of ischemic heart disease was present in 55% of the patients . 20% of the patients were asymptomatic, 70% of the patients were presented with backache followed by abdominal pain and 10% were presented with lower limb ischemia. Pulsatile abdominal mass was felt in 75% of the cases. 75% had left ventricle dysfunction. The transverse aortic diameter was 6-7cm in 20%, 7-8cm in 50% and more than 8 cm in 30%. All of the patients underwent surgical intervention. The overall mortality was 20%.
CONCLUSION:
Patients who underwent urgent surgery had poor outcome in comparison with those who did the procedure on elective basis.