Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in the veteran population

Background: The aim of this study was to audit the outcome of elective open aortic aneurysm repair in a veteran hospital to determine whether age greater than or equal to80 years influenced the morbidity or mortality. Methods: All elective abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repaired at Greenslopes Private (Repatriation) Hospital between January 1995 and July 2000 were reviewed. Operative details, premorbid condition, postoperative outcomes as well as length of admission were recorded. Patients were grouped according to age as greater than or equal to80 years or <80 years. Results: There were 251 open elective AAA (including infrarenal and suprarenal, as well as recurrent AAA) repairs carried out during this period, 64 of which were patients of age greater than or equal to80 years. Cardiovascular risks factors did not differ between groups nor did complication rates for patients greater than or equal to80 and <80 years of age (19.1 and 19.8%, respectively). Mortality rates were not significantly different between groups (greater than or equal to80 years: 6.25%; <80 years: 4.8%; P > 0.6). Conclusions: Age greater than or equal to80 years should not be an exclusion criteria when contemplating open elective AAA repair.