POSSUM and APACHE II Scores Do Not Predict the Outcome of Ruptured Infrarenal Aortic Aneurysms

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= 0.02). APACHE II score 17 was the threshold value with the highest combined specificity and sensitivity; however, at this point the positive predictive value for a death was 92% and the negative predictive value was 63%. Interestingly, the only single factor in univariate analysis affecting mortality was the preoperative platelet count and is not taken into account in neither of the two scoring systems. POSSUM failed in predicting the outcome of ruptured infrarenal aortic aneurysms. APACHE II was a good predictor of outcome; however, its power to predict the outcome in any given individual patient was limited. As precise prediction is impossible, repair in every patient should not be denied.