From 1978 through 1992, 103 patients (mean age: 69 years) underwent elective repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (eAAA) at our institute. One or more postoperative complications occurred in 30 patients (29%), with mortality rate of 1.9%. Factors significantly associated with postoperative complications by univariate analysis included male sex (p=0.0082), operation time (p=0.0006), size of aneurysm (p=0.0045), blood loss during operation (p=0.0037), decreased pulmonary function (p=0.0155), and the number of platelet counts (p=0.0468). Simple linear regression analysis showed that there was a significant correlation among AAA size, operation time and blood loss. Age at operation, however, did not have any influence on morbidity and mortality. Complete survival information was obtained in 96 (follow up rate of 95%) patients, and the influence of preoperative risk factors on late survival was also examined by the Kaplan-Meier method. Factors influencing long-term survival were renal dysfunction and age at time of operation.

Elective resection of abdominal aortic aneurysms is now a safe operation, though mortality related to ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) remains high. To evaluate factors affecting survival after rAAA, 26 consecutive cases were studied. The operative mortality was 58% (15/26) compared with 1.8% for 110 elective AAA patients. Factors associated with poor prognosis were blood pressure of less than 90mmHg and profound acidosis of the arterial blood on admission, size of the aneurysm, and massive transfusion. The high mortality and morbidity rate for the rAAA patient emphasize the need for early and aggressive treatment of AAA in elective cases at high risk. In a follow-up study, however, the survival rate of rAAA, excluding hospital mortality, was 71% at five years and there was no significant difference in quality of life as compared with those patients who had elective AAA resection during the same time interval.

Clinical evaluation of perioperative IABP use in valvular heart surgery was studied. There were 4 preoperative, 18 intraoperative and 20 postoperative applications of IABP. The indications of IABP were LOS in 19 patients, failed weaning from bypass in 11, life threatening arrhythmia in 11, and congestive heart failure in 1. Sixteen out of 26 patients with successful weaning from IABP support could be discharged. Ten died after removal of IABP. Longer duration of cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic clamp, lower value of cardiac index 24 hours after introduction of IABP support were implicated in unsuccessful IABP support. The causes of death were due to LOS in 8 patients, MOF in 12, GVHD in 2, others in 3. The outcome of IABP for patients with valvular heart surgery was not satisfactory. However, the results of IABP support in valvular surgery will be improved by reducing the incidence of postoperative complications, especially LOS, followed by MOF.