Js. Lindholt et al., DECREASED MORTALITY OF ABDOMINAL AORTIC-ANEURYSMS IN A PERIPHERAL COUNTY, European journal of vascular and endovascular surgery, 10(4), 1995, pp. 466-469
Objectives: To analyse the effect on the mortality associated with abd
ominal aortic aneurysms, due to the establishment of a decentralised v
ascular surgical unit in the county of Viborg. Methods: Death after an
eurysm repair and from rupture without repair were analysed retrospect
ively for the 3 year period before (1986-88), and after (1989-91), the
unit was established. Results: Between 1986 and 1988, one patient (5%
) died after 19 elective and three emergency non-ruptured aneurysm rep
airs. Only three ruptures were repaired with two deaths. In the county
, 41 deaths due to ruptured aneurysm were recorded. Between 1989 and 1
991 two patients (4%) died after 26 elective and 27 emergency non-rupt
ured aneurysm repairs. Nineteen ruptures were repaired with six deaths
(32%). In the county, 28 deaths due to rupture were recorded during t
his period. Conclusions: The establishment of a decentralised vascular
surgical unit has increased the proportion of ruptured aneurysms reac
hing surgery with a resultant decrease in mortality from this conditio
n.