Natural history of thoraco-abdominal aneurysm in high-risk patients.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: There is considerable interest in the role of novel endovascular techniques for the treatment of patients with complex aneurysms who are unsuitable for standard interventions. Knowledge of the natural history of these lesions, as well as other co-morbidities, is required in order that these techniques may be applied correctly in this high-risk group. METHOD: This study reviews the outcome of patients deemed to be unfit for surgery following assessment under the Scottish National Thoraco-abdominal aneurysm service (TAAA) service (2002-2008). RESULTS: Of 216 patients assessed, 89 (41%) patients were considered to be unfit for intervention. The median (interquartile range, IQR) age of patients was 75 (70-80) years and there were 39 men (44%). Median (IQR) aneurysm size was 6 (5.6-7.0) cm. The median (IQR) follow-up time was 12 (7-26) months. There were 49 (55%) deaths during the follow-up period of which 23 (47%) cases were due to ruptured TAAA and 26 (53%) were not aneurysm-related. Comparing patients with aneurysms <6 cm (33 patients) with those aneurysms > or =6 cm (56 patients) there was no difference in aneurysm-related death (p = 0.32) or all-cause mortality (p = 0.147). CONCLUSION: Aneurysm-related mortality amongst patients unsuitable for open TAAA surgery is considerable and evolving endovascular techniques may permit intervention in selected patients. However any intervention can only be justified if the patient's life expectancy is sufficient to allow benefit to accrue.