Abdominal aortic reconstruction. Prognostic importance of coexistent diseases.

In 109 patients who underwent abdominal aortic reconstruction, the importance of preoperative complicating factors was retrospectively studied. High age at operation, presence of coronary heart disease, heart failure, hypertension, chronic pulmonary disease and renal failure, heavy smoking and alcoholism were among the investigated factors. A simple preoperative risk score was defined, based on the number of such complicating factors present in each case. Although the operation was technically uncomplicated in all 109 patients, 15 required intensive care for more than 4 days and seven died. Morbidity and mortality were heightened in cases with more than three risk factors. Coronary heart disease and renal failure were the most important risk factors.