[Management of thoracic and thoraco-abdominal aneurysms in the elderly]

Abstract

Repair of descending thoracic aneurysm or thoracoabdominal involves transient ischaemia of many organs with high risk of complications. The elderly patient may be more at risk depending on the presence or absence of significant comorbidity factors. Careful preoperative evaluation and patient selection considerably reduce the risk of operative mortality and morbidity. We review the management of thoracic and thoracoabdominal aneurysms in the elderly and briefly describe our surgical approach in order to minimize operative risk and improve surgical results.