Temporal trends and outcomes for the treatment of acute aortic occlusion from 2009 to 2020 in Germany.

Background: Acute abdominal aortic occlusion is a rare vascular emergency associated with high morbidity and mortality. To date, the topic has hardly been addressed scientifically. Most case series are afflicted with small cohort numbers. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors after invasive treatment of acute abdominal aortic occlusion and changes over time. Patients and methods: Using case-based nationwide hospital statistics (diagnosis-related group [DRG] statistics) from 2009 to 2020, all cases with ICD-10 codes for embolism and thrombosis of the abdominal aorta in conjunction with acute limb ischaemia and consecutive invasive treatment (endovascular or open surgery) were included. The analysis included patient characteristics, treatment, mortality, amputation, and complications. The primary outcome was in-hospital death. A multivariable regression model was applied to detect risk factors. Results: A total of 1160 cases (66% male) with acute abdominal aortic occlusion were identified (941 open; 219 endovascular). Between 2009 and 2020, the rate of endovascular treatments (2010: 6%; 2020: 29%; p<.001) increased significantly over the years. Older patients (odds ratio [OR] 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.64-0.9, p=.002) and women (OR 0.65; 95% CI 0.48-0.88, p=.006) were more likely to receive endovascular care. In-hospital mortality was 13% after open surgery and 14% after endovascular treatment, with no significant change in open surgery, but high variability in endovascular treatment during the observation period (2009-2011: open 14%; endovascular 25%; 2018-2020: 10%; 11%). In-hospital mortality increased significantly with higher age (OR 2.19 per 10-year increase; 95% CI 1.79-2.7, p<.001) and comorbidities (OR 1.1 per Elixhauser point; 95% 1.07-1.11, p<.001). Conclusions: Acute aortic occlusion remains a rare but life-threatening emergency. Use of endovascular revascularization techniques is increasing, while in-hospital mortality rates remain high, specifically for older and morbid patients.