Non-operative management of high-risk patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm.

OBJECTIVES: to determine the risk of rupture in patients with large non-operated abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). METHODS: in 128 patients admitted over a 5-year period with an intact AAA, and who did not have a surgical repair were included, initial maximum antero-posterior AAA diameter was related to survival and cause of death. RESULTS: at the end of follow-up 27/52 (52%) patients with AAA <55 mm were alive compared to 17/62 (27%) patients with AAA > or =55 mm. Six (12%) in the former and 18 (29%) in the latter group had an AAA-related death. However, non-AAA-related death was commoner in both groups. CONCLUSION: these findings support a role for non-operative management in high-risk patients with large AAAs.