Spectrum of Abdominal Aortic Disease in a Tertiary Health Care Setup: MDCT Based Observational Study

Demographic Patterns, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms in Young Adults ≤55 Years: An Experience in a Tertiary Care Centre of India

Introduction

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are uncommon in young adults ≤55 years of age. There is a lack of literature on clinical characteristics, risk factors, and therapeutic outcomes so we present a case series of 11 patients of AAA aged ≤55 years.

Methods

We included single-center retrospective case series between 2013 to 2020. We reviewed 44 patients who were operated for AAA in a tertiary care center in India. We identified 13 patients who were ≤55 years; two patients with incomplete records were excluded. A patient information sheet was used to retrieve demographic data, clinical presentation, outcomes, and follow-up.

Results

Out of 11 patients, 10 were men. Nine patients (81.8%) had symptomatic AAA. The majority (45.4%) exhibited an infrarenal aneurysm and the median size of the aneurysm was 5.8 cm (IQR: 5.5-6.4 cm). Eight patients (72.7%) had a history of smoking. Hypertension was observed in six patients and one patient had associated coronary artery disease. Clamping time was > 45 minutes among three patients; all smokers. Blood loss was > 500 ml in five patients. The median length of hospital stay was 10 days (7-40); more among patients with metabolic equivalents (METS) score < 4, 14.5 (8-19) days. No grade III-IV complications and mortality were noted with a median follow-up of 15 months, with all patients living.

Conclusion

The aneurysm was symptomatic in the majority of participants. An association of smoking in increasing both the median clamping time and length of hospital stay was seen. No mortality and good disease-free follow-up suggested good outcomes.