RUPTURED THORACIC AORTIC-ANEURYSMS - A STUDY OF INCIDENCE AND MORTALITY-RATES

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and mortality rate of ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) in a well-de fined population. Methods: Retrospective analysis of compiled data fro m multiple registries in Stockholm, Sweden was performed. Results: Eig hty-two and 76 cases were identified from 1980 and 1989, respectively, for an equal incidence of 5 per 100,000. Forty-one percent of the pat ients were alive on arrival at an emergency hospital, but the overall mortality rate was 97% to 100%. Conclusions: The mortality rate of rup tured TAA is high. To decrease this high mortality rate, efficient scr eening methods for the diagnosis of TAA must be worked out, characteri stics indicating high risk of rupture must be identified, and efforts should be made to increase the number of operations for ruptured TAA.