Aneurysms of the Thoracic Aorta

Abstract

During the period 1970–76, 45 patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) without aortic valve insufficiency were admitted for surgery. Twenty-five patients were operated upon with a mortality rate of 32%. The best results were found in traumatic TAA with 100% survival, the worst results in patients with acute dissection. Of the unoperated patients with TAA, 30% died within 6 months and 50% within 3 years. 70% of all unoperated patients with acute dissecting TAA (and 100% of those with dissection type III) are still alive 2½–5 years after onset of the disease. The importance of hypotensive treatment for these patients is stressed.