Symptomatic Aneurysm of the Abdominal Aorta

Abstract

Three cases of symptomatic aneurysm of the abdominal aorta are pre sented. One patient age 96, described with this condition, is perhaps the oldest patient in the literature. In another patient the aneurysm measured two feet in length, extending from the diaphragm to the pelvic outlet. This was perhaps the biggest aneurysm yet recorded. All three patients presented dif ficult medical problems, withstood the operation, and were discharged from the hospitals with successful results.

Aneurysm of the abdominal aorta is a serious condition. It is commonly found in patients in their seventh decade. The condition carries a high mor tality with advancing age, especially when associated with other diseases. In symptomatic aneurysms where expansion, dissection or frank hemorrhage is suspected, emergency resection and replacement with dacron graft is carried out.

We are reporting three cases, two aged 96 and 91, perhaps the oldest pa tients in the world literature operated upon for expanding aneurysms of the abdominal aorta with beginning dissection. The third patient had an aneurysm measuring two feet in length, perhaps the biggest aneurysm reported. All patients survived the operation and are living.