Ten-Year Experience of a Tertiary Center with Giant Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: A Retrospective Analysis

Authors

  • Francisco Basílio Serviço de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular, Unidade Local de Saúde Gaia e Espinho, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
  • Andreia Coelho Serviço de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular, Unidade Local de Saúde Gaia e Espinho, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
  • João Peixoto Serviço de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular, Unidade Local de Saúde Gaia e Espinho, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
  • Luís Fernandes Serviço de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular, Unidade Local de Saúde Gaia e Espinho, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
  • Roberto Boal Serviço de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular, Unidade Local de Saúde Gaia e Espinho, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
  • Marta Machado Serviço de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular, Unidade Local de Saúde Gaia e Espinho, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
  • Patrícia Carvalho Serviço de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular, Unidade Local de Saúde Gaia e Espinho, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
  • Beatriz Guimarães Serviço de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular, Unidade Local de Saúde Gaia e Espinho, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48729/pjctvs.529

Keywords:

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms management, Long-term outcomes, Surgical intervention

Abstract

Introduction: The risk of rupture for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) is primarily influenced by their diameter with the likelihood of rupture increasing exponentially as the aneurysm enlarges. Nowadays, giant AAAs are relatively rare in clinical practice due to earlier diagnosis and treatment. This study aimed to analyze the treatment and prognosis of giant aneurysms comparing with non-giant AAAs within our center´s prospective registry.

Methods: We identified all AAAs treated at our center exceeding 9 cm in diameter from surgical records between January 1, 2013, and September 10, 2024. Demographic data, risk factors, anatomical characteristics, treatments, and outcomes were recorded. Furthermore, we analyzed and compared the anatomical features and outcomes of giant aneurysms with non-giant AAAs treated in our department (non-giant AAAs) from 2019 and 2023.

Results: A total of 24 patients with giant AAAs were identified, with a mean age of 77 .46±9.03 years, and the majority were male (95.8%). Rupture was significantly more frequent in the giant AAAs cohort (54.2% vs. 9.6%, p<0.001). Additionally, Giant AAAs were significantly less likely to undergo endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) (33.33% vs. 75.53%, p < 0.001), but with a higher risk of reintervention due to complications at 30 days (18.18% vs. 1.18%, p < 0.001) and 1 year (18.18% vs. 3.53%, p < 0.001) in non-ruptured sub-group.

Conclusion: Giant AAAs are predominantly ruptured at presentation and primarily managed with open surgical repair. When treated with EVAR, there was a higher risk of reintervention compared to non-giant AAAs.

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Published

13-11-2025

How to Cite

1.
Basílio F, Coelho A, Peixoto J, Fernandes L, Boal R, Machado M, et al. Ten-Year Experience of a Tertiary Center with Giant Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: A Retrospective Analysis . Rev Port Cir Cardiotorac Vasc [Internet]. 2025 Nov. 13 [cited 2025 Nov. 15];32(3):7-13. Available from: https://pjctvs.com/index.php/journal/article/view/529

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