Systematic preoperative assessment can identify patients at high risk of cardiac complications and guide the application of appropriate risk reduction strategies.

This study will provide data on the efficacy of esmolol titration in chronic beta-blocker users for tight heart-rate control and reduction of ischaemia in patients undergoing vascular surgery as well as data on safety parameters.

Objectives:The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of familial abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) in a tertiary medical center and to appreciate common cardiovascular risk factors for their association with sporadic and familial AAA.Methods: Family histories were ascertained by questionnaire from 405 AAA patients (total 7955 relatives) treated between 1990-2009 (91% men; age at surgery 67,5Ϯ8.1 years). Familial AAA was defined as having one or more first or second degree family members suffering from AAA. Cardiac risk profile was assessed with the Lee's Revised Cardiac Risk Index. Univariable en multivariable analysis were performed to assess differences in atherosclerotic risk factors between sporadic and familial AAA patients.Results: Familial AAA was reported in 106 patients (26%) and in 87 patients (82%) first-degree relatives were affected. Using multivariable analysis, familial AAA was significantly associated with lower age of the patient at diagnosis (OR 0.94; 95%CI 0.91-0.97), reduced incidence of hypertension (OR 0.35; 95%CI 0.21-0.58) and decreased cardiac risk profile (1 risk factor OR 0.60; 95%CI 0.35-1.02; Ն2 risk factors OR 0.49; 95%CI 0.24-0.99) compared to patients with sporadic AAA.Conclusions: Our data show a high proportion of familial AAA. The familial AAA patients were diagnosed at a younger age, had a reduced incidence of hypertension and less cardiac risk factors. These findings emphasize the importance of a genetic component in the pathogenesis of AAA and suggest the need for further screening in familial AAA families.Objectives: While randomized trials have shown improved operative mortality with Endovascular Aneurysm JOURNAL

tution. Cost (not charges) of the index hospitalization included direct and indirect costs and was normalized to 2010 values. Data are mean ϩ/-S.D.Results: 306 patients underwent either CEA (nϭ174) or CAS (nϭ132). Patients undergoing CEA trended towards a higher prevalence of being symptomatic (44.8 %)compared to CAS(34.0%,Pϭ 0.09). Age was not significantly different between patients undergoing CEA and CAS (70.2 vs 72.0,respectively, Pϭ0.36). CAD was more common in patients undergoing CAS (60.3% vs 39%,Pϭ0.003). The prevalence of COPD, ESRD, Hypertension and diabetes were not significantly significant.