Prognosis of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms in Denmark from 1994–2008

INTRODUCTION: Few modern population-based estimates of the prognosis of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) exist. METHODS AND MATERIALS: From 1994–2008, a total of 6954 rAAA cases were identified in Danish nationwide population-based registries. RESULTS: Of 3148 (45%) surgery cases, 1454 (46%) died within 30 days of surgery. The overall mortality risk of rAAA was 76%. The proportion of patients who received surgery increased from 44%, in the first study period, to 47% in the last study period; the 30-day postoperative mortality rate decreased from 51% to 42%; and the overall mortality risk declined significantly from 77% to 74% (odds ratio: 0.86: 95% confidence interval: 0.77–0.97). However, the age-adjusted mortality rate remained unchanged, due to the increased incidence of rAAA.