CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PATIENTS WITH AORTIC ANEURISM AND AORTIC DISSECTION IN ALBANIA

Abstract

Context : Background: Our aim was to describe the clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with aortic aneurism and aortic dissection in Albania, a former communist country in Southeastern Europe. Methods : A case-series study was conducted in Tirana including 75 patients diagnosed with thoracic and/or abdominal aortic aneurism, as well as aortic dissection. Patients were enrolled consecutively during the period 2012- 2014 at the University Hospital Center “Mother Teresa”. The diagnosis of thoracic and/or abdominal aortic aneurism was made with computerized tomography (CT) scan with contrast, and the diagnosis of aortic dissection was made with medical imaging [radiography, computed tomography with and without contrast, angiography (aortography), magnetic resonance imaging , or echocardiography ]. In addition, other useful clinical data and information about behavioral characteristics were collected. Results : 56 (74.7%) patients were men and 19 (25.3) were women. The overall mean age was 59.1±15.3 years. The annual incidence of aortic dissection was 15.0 per 100,000 population (95%CI: 11.7-18.9 per 100,000 population). Conversely, the annual incidence of thoracic and/or abdominal aortic aneurism was 27.0 per 100,000 population (95%CI: 22.5-32.1 per 100,000 population). The overall prevalence of smoking, hypertension, hematoma and aortic thrombosis were, respectively: 43%, 73%, 27% and 38%. Conclusion : This study provides valuable information about the clinical characteristics of Albanian patients diagnosed with aortic aneurism and aortic dissection. Keywords : abdominal aortic aneurism, Albania, aortic aneurism, aortic dissection, thoracic aortic aneurism Normal 0 21 false false false RO X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:Table Normal; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:Calibri,sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Times New Roman; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}