Navigating Infective Native Aortic Aneurysms in Tropical Regions: Insights from a Five-Year Malaysian Experience.

Publication date: Jul 08, 2025

To describe the clinical characteristics, microbiological profiles, anatomic distribution, operative strategies, and outcomes of patients with infective native aortic aneurysms (INAAs) managed at a high-volume vascular center in Southeast Asia. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 70 patients with INAAs treated surgically or endovascularly between January 2018 and December 2023. Demographics, clinical presentation, microbiological findings, operative data, antibiotic regimens, and follow-up outcomes were analyzed. Primary outcomes included early mortality, postoperative complications, reintervention rates, and long-term survival. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to estimate survival; Cox regression identified predictors of mortality. The cohort had a mean age of 62. 7 +/- 9. 3 years, with 90% male. Comorbidities included diabetes (77%) and hypertension (84%). The most frequently isolated organisms were Salmonella spp. (28. 6%) and Burkholderia pseudomallei (17. 1%). Infrarenal aortic involvement predominated. Thirty-eight patients underwent open repair and 32 had endovascular repair. Endoleaks (36. 4%) and aortoenteric fistulas (6. 1%) were more common after endovascular repair. Reintervention rates were higher in the open group (26. 3% vs. 18. 8%). Early mortality was 2. 8%, and 2-year estimated survival was 89%. Increasing age and ischemic heart disease were independent predictors of mortality (p < .05). Both open and endovascular repair are effective modalities for INAA management when tailored to patient anatomy, stability, and resource availability. In tropical regions, endemic organisms such as B. pseudomallei and Mycobacterium tuberculosis warrant consideration. Long-term antibiotic therapy, imaging surveillance, and multidisciplinary care are critical to optimizing outcomes.

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