Aortic aneurysm disease versus aortic occlusive disease: differences in postoperative ICU requirements after open elective abdominal aortic surgery

Abstract

Open elective abdominal aortic surgery is a high-risk procedure involving clamping of the aorta. Indications include abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) or aortic occlusive disease (AOD) causing lower limb ischaemia. These patients are often regarded as one entity in postoperative study settings. However, previous studies indicate that risk profiles, inflammatory activity, and haemodynamic capacity may differ between these groups [1,2]. The aim of this study was to evaluate postoperative ICU requirements after open elective abdominal aortic surgery, hypothesising that AAA patients had longer ICU stays and needed more mechanical ventilation or acute dialysis than did patients with AOD.