RT Journal
A1 Hadjibashi A, Mirocha J, Cossman DV, Gewertz BL
T1 DEcreases in diameters of treated abdominal aortic aneurysms and reduction in rupture rate
JF JAMA Surgery
JO JAMA Surgery
YR 2013
FD January 1
VO 148
IS 1
SP 72
OP 75
DO 10.1001/archsurg.2012.1151
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archsurg.2012.1151
AB Objective 
                  To determine whether the diameters of treated abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) have changed during the last 10 years.Design, Setting, and Patients 
                  A retrospective record review was completed on all patients undergoing any AAA repair from January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2009, at a single high-volume institution. All cases of repaired AAAs that had computed tomographic scans within 3 months of surgery were included. The mean and median maximal diameters of AAAs were noted. Correlation and regression analyses were used.Main Outcome Measures 
                  The mean and median maximal diameters of AAAs.Results 
                  Of 360 patients with treated AAAs, 339 met the inclusion criteria. The mean (SD) diameter of repaired AAAs decreased from 6.49 (1.46) cm (median, 6.40 cm) in 2000 to 5.83 (1.23) cm (median, 5.60 cm) in 2009. Correlation analysis confirmed a decrease in diameter across years (Pearson R = −0.141; P = .01). A fitted regression line also showed a decreasing trend (slope = −0.059 cm per year; P = .01).Conclusions 
                  The diameters of repaired AAAs at our hospital have decreased progressively during the last decade. This observation is consistent with a reduction in the expansion rates of AAAs and may account for the progressive decreases in the aneurysm rupture rate in the United States.