Importance of early repair of isolated abdominal aortic dissecting aneurysm.

Background: Since the available information on isolated abdominal aortic dissecting aneurysm (AADA) is mainly related to case reports or reports of small groups of patients, its natural history remains undetermined and there is no agreement on its optimal management. The purpose of this study is to define the features and pattern of development of this unusual entity as well as to propose criteria for treatment based on our own experience and previously published data. Patients and methods: We retrospectively evaluated the history of 6 patients diagnosed with AADA. The patients were 5 males and 1 female. The mean age was 71 ± 8 years (range: 61–80 years), and the mean aneurysm diameter was 54 ± 14 mm (range: 35–70 mm). All of these patients were hypertensive (100%). History of cerebrovascular accident, ischemic heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, or diabetes mellitus was present in 1 patient, respectively. Two patients developed mycotic AADA. Results: Emergency operations had been performed in 3 c...