Perioperative factors influencing the mortality of elective abdominal aorta aneurysm repair

Introduction. Abdominal aorta aneurysm is a recognized cause of death for the European population. The identification of intra-operative risk factors for perioperative death is of crucial importance for the society. Material and methods. A prospective observational study was conducted in the Vascular Surgery Department of the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Poland. The study group consisted of 95 patients, diagnosed with abdominal aorta aneurysm in the sub-renal region scheduled for an operative procedure of straight vascular graft implantation. Patient qualification was fulfilled according to TASC criteria. The influence of preoperative factors, hemodynamic and metabolic parameters on the risk of death in the study population was analyzed. Postoperatively, observation was continued for 28 days. Results. In this study group an increase of lactate, potassium levels or pH decrease during the first minute post cross-clamp release were significant risk factors for perioperative death. The importance of metabolic parameters is a recognized risk factor, however their statistical significance within the first minute post cross-clamp release is in our opinion of crucial importance. Additionally, significantly higher mortality was reported among patients without epidural anaesthesia. No importance of other analyzed parameters was found. Conclusions. Epidural anaesthesia is an independent factor decreasing mortality in the early postoperative period in patients undergoing abdominal aorta aneurysm repair. A decrease of pH value and increase of lactate and K+ levels within the first minute after aortic cross-clamp release may be a valuable tool in identifying patients with an increased risk of perioperative death after abdominal aorta prosthesis implantation.