CLINICAL CASES   

Minerva Cardioangiologica 2006 August;54(4):507-20

Copyright © 2006 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Abdominal aortic aneurysm associated with abdominal visceral diseases

Leone L., Germiglio C., Monteforte R., Trovato G.

¹ Unit of Vascular Surgery Umberto I Hospital, Siracusa, Italy 2 Postgraduate School of Vascular Surgery Umberto I Hospital, Siracusa, Italy

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) occurs in advanced age. As such, its frequency has increased with the general ageing of the population as has the possibility of finding AAA associated with abdominal visceral disease, especially neoplasms. A malignant mass is present in 4% of patients who undergo aortic reconstruction for AAA. Since surgical treatment for both is often potentially life-threatening, the surgeon is faced with a series of treatment decisions concerning foremost timing of the operation. The main worry is that simultaneous treatment carries a potential risk of infection of the vascular graft. On the other hand, a 2-phase procedure is also burdened by risks linked to a second anaesthesia and a second surgical operation carried out on scar or contaminated tissue and the worsening of one of the 2 potentially life-threatening illnesses. In this situation endovascular treatment of an AAA may represent an advantageous alternative therapeutic strategy.