Clinical Characteristics and Longitudinal Outcomes of Primary Mycotic Aortic Aneurysms

Medical therapy for mycotic aortic aneurysms (MAA) is almost universally fatal, while surgical and endovascular repair carry high morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes between patients receiving treatment for MAA. Records were obtained and patients with MAA were stratified by intervention: endovascular repair, open surgery, and medical therapy. Primary outcomes were aneurysm-related mortality and survival. Risk-adjusted associations with mortality were assessed using time-to-event analysis. Thirty-eight patients were identified (median age, 67). Twenty-one underwent endovascular repair,10 had open surgery and 7 received medical therapy alone. Overall mortality was 47% (n = 18), with 94% aneurysm related. Median survival was significantly longer in the endovascular group (747.0 [161-1249]) vs open surgery and medical therapy (507.5 [34-806] and 66 [13-146] days, respectively; P =.02). The endovascular group had significantly fewer perioperative complications (43% vs 80%, P <.01). However, 4 endovascular patients experienced reinfection versus no open surgery patients. Mortality risk factors included medical therapy (hazard ratio [HR]: 5.3, P <.01) and aneurysm size (HR: 1.4 per 1-cm increase in diameter, P =.03). Endovascular repair of MAA was associated with the best long-term survival and lowest perioperative complication rate, although it is associated with greater reinfection. These tradeoffs should be considered when selecting which procedure is best for a patient.