Impact of preoperative pulmonary function on outcomes after open repair of descending and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms

Preoperative FEV1 < 50% is strongly predictive of increased respiratory failure, tracheostomy, and operative mortality in patients undergoing open DTA/TAAA repair. For these very high-risk patients with either extensive TAAAs or anatomy unsuitable for endovascular repair, medical therapy may offer the best long-term survival.