To assess the effects of perioperative events in predicting 30-day mortality in patients undergoing elective aortic surgery. We hypothesize that intraoperative factors may play a significant role in mortality outcomes in patients undergoing elective aortic surgeries. All patients who underwent elective abdominal aortic procedures (open and endovascular aneurysm repair) between 2002 and 2016 were included in this single-center retrospective cohort study. Emergent/urgent procedures were excluded. Data were collected on patient demographics, comorbidities, intraoperative course and 30-day mortality. Matched-pairs using survivor-sampling with a 2:1 ratio was used (two survivors matched to one mortality by gender, age, and procedure type). Risk estimation model scores (V-POSSUM, BAR, and GAS) were calculated and analyzed alongside perioperative factors and CLASSIC grade (severity classification for intraoperative adverse events). Multiple logistic regression with adjustments for covariates was used to assess the relationship between predictors and outcome. A total of 2589 elective procedures were performed during the study period (open = 57.6%, endovascular aneurysm repair = 41.9%, hybrid = 0.5%). Overall 30-day mortality was 1.8% (n = 43). Intraoperative factors significantly predicted 30-day mortality, including surgery time (P = .024), anesthesia time (P = .003), proximal aortic clamp level (P < .001), number of blood transfusions (P = .009), and CLASSIC grade (P < .001). The BAR risk model had reasonable ability (c-statistic = 0.61) at predicting 30-day mortality risk. The other models (V-POSSUM, c-statistic = 0.54; GAS, c-statistic = 0.53) performed relatively poorly. A custom risk assessment model including preoperative factors (chronic renal failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, insulin dependence, and American Society of Anesthesiologists score) demonstrated a c-statistic of 0.72; however, with the inclusion of intraoperative factors (surgery time, anesthesia time, clamp level, number of blood transfusions, and CLASSIC grade), the accuracy of the model greatly increased (c-statistic = 0.94). Current risk prediction models underestimate the significance of intraoperative factors in predicting 30-day mortality in patients undergoing elective aortic surgeries. Although they are not available in preoperative decision making, intraoperative adverse events are significant in predicting 30-day mortality. Recognizing intraoperative factors associated with adverse outcomes may allow for identification of high risk patients and aid in the provision of optimal postoperative care in patients undergoing elective aortic surgeries.