Research Article: Hospital Incidence, Sex Disparities, and Perioperative Mortality in Open Surgically Treated Patients with Aneurysms of the Ascending Aorta and Aortic Arch in Switzerland
Abstract:
Objective. To analyze the epidemiological shifts in the incidence of ascending and arch aortic aneurysms (AA) treated with open surgery in the context of evolving endovascular options on a national basis. Methods. Between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2018, 4388 cases were admitted to the hospital with either ruptured (r)AA or non-ruptured (nr)AA as the primary or secondary diagnosis. Patients were classified as having AA based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results. The age-standardized hospital incidence rates for treatment of nrAA were 7.8 (95% confidence interval (CI): 6.9 to 8.7) in 100,000 men and 2.9 (2.4 to 3.4) in 100,000 women and were stable over time. The overall raw in-hospital mortality rate was 2.0% and was significantly lower in males compared to women (1.6% vs. 2.8%, p = 0.015). Higher van Walraven scores (OR: 1.08 per point; 95%CI: 1.06 to 1.11; p = 0.001) and higher age (OR 1.05 per year; (95%CI: 1.02 to 1.07, p = 0.045) were significantly associated with hospital mortality. Conclusions. Endovascular surgery seems to have no influence on hospital incidence in patients treated with conventional surgery for AA in Switzerland. There was a significant reduction in in-hospital mortality in both men and women, with age and the von Walraven score being independent factors for worse outcomes.
Introduction:
Ascending and arch aortic aneurysms (AA) are dilations of the aortic wall that can be catastrophic if not detected and treated in time. Often silent until they reach a significant size or cause complications, these aneurysms can lead to aortic dissection or rupture, both of which are life-threatening [1,2]. The etiology of these aneurysms can be multifactorial, including genetic predisposition, atherosclerosis, hypertension, connective tissue disorders, and other risk factors.
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