Women with thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms have increased frailty and more complex aortic anatomy compared with men: Presented at the plenary session of the Thirty-sixth Western Vascular Society Annual Meeting, Jackson Hole, WY, October 16-19, 2021.

Abstract

Objective: Operative repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs) is high risk, and many patients will be unfit for intervention. Prior studies have noted lower rates of repair for women than for men. The reasons for this disparity have remained unknown but could include a greater burden of co-morbid illness or anatomic barriers. Frailty could also contribute to the lower intervention rates but has rarely been reported in preoperative risk assessments. The aim of the present study was to assess the sex-related differences in clinical comorbidities, anatomic suitability, and frailty among an unselected cohort of patients who had presented with TAAAs.