• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.110-119
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• 2003

Purpose: Radioiodine (I-131) therapy is an effective modality to reduce both recurrence and mortality rates in differentiated thyroid cancer. Whether higher doses shows higher therapeutic responses was still debatable. The purpose of this study was to validate curve-fitting (CF) method measuring maximum permissible dose (MPD) by a biological dosimetry using metaphase analysis of peripheral blood lymphocytes. Materials and Methods: Therapeutic effects of MPD was evaluated in 58 patients (49 females and 9 males, mean age $50{\pm}11$ years) of papillary thyroid cancer. Among them 43 patients were treated with ${\Leq}7.4GBq$, while 15 patients with ${\geq}9.25GBq$. The former was defined as low-dose group, and the latter high-dose group. Therapeutic response was defined as complete response when complete disappearance of lesions on follow-up I-131 scan and undetectable serum thyroglobulin levels were found. Statistical comparison between groups were done using chi-square test. P value less than 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant. Results: MPD measured by CF method using tracer and therapeutic doses were $13.3{\pm}1.9\;and\;13.8{\pm}2.1GBq$, respectively (p=0.20). They showed a significant correlation (r=0.8, p<0.0001). Exposed doses to blood measured by CF and biological methods were $1.54{\pm}0.03\;and\;1.78{\pm}0.03Gy$ (p=0.01). They also showed a significant correlation (r=0.86, p=0.01). High-dose group showed a significantly higher rate of complete response (12/15, 80%) as compared to the low-dose group (22/43, 51.2%) (p=0.05). While occurrence of side effects was not different between two groups (40% vs. 30.2%, p=0.46). Conclusion: Measurement of MPD using CF method is reliable, and the high-dose I-131 therapy using MPD gains significantly higher therapeutic effects as compared with low-dose therapy.

• The Korean Journal of Air & Space Law and Policy
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.97-158
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• 2010

The purpose of this paper is to research on the contents and improvement of national legislations relating to space development in Korea to make the sustainable progress of space development project in Korea. Korea has launched its first satellite KITST-1 in 1992. The National Space Committee has established "The Space Development Promotion Basic Plan" in 2007. The plan addressed the development of total 13 satellites by 2010 and the space launch vehicle by 2020, and the launch of moon exploration spaceship by 2021. Korea has built the space center at Oinarodo, Goheng Province in June 2009. In Korea the first small launch vehicle KSLV-1 was launched at the Naro Space Center in August 2009, and its second launch was made in June 2010. The United Nations has adopted five treaties relating to the development of outer space as follows : The Outer Space Treaty of 1967, the Rescue and Return Agreement of 1968, the Liability Convention of 1972, the Registration Convention of 1974, and the Moon Treaty of 1979. All five treaties has come into force. Korea has ratified the Outer Space Treaty, the Rescue and Return Agreement, the Liability Convention and the Registration Convention excepting the Moon Treaty. Most of development countries have enacted the national legislation relating to the development of our space as follows : The National Aeronautic and Space Act of 1958 and the Commercial Space Act of 1998 in the United States, Outer Space Act of 1986 in England, Establishment Act of National Space Center of 1961 in France, Canadian Space Agency Act of 1990 in Canada, Space Basic Act of 2008 in Japan, and Law on Space Activity of 1993 in Russia. There are currently three national legislations relating to space development in Korea as follows : Aerospace Industry Development Promotion Act of 1987, Outer Space Development Promotion Act of 2005, Outer Space Damage Compensation Act of 2008. The Ministry of Knowledge Economy of Korea has announced the Full Amendment Draft of Aerospace Industry Development Promotion Act in December 2009, and it's main contents are as follows : (1) Changing the title of Act into Aerospace Industry Promotion Act, (2) Newly regulating the definition of air flight test place, etc., (3) Establishment of aerospace industry basic plan, establishment of aerospace industry committee, (4) Project for promoting aerospace industry, (5) Exploration development, international joint development, (6) Cooperative research development, (7) Mutual benefit project, (8) Project for furthering basis of aerospace industry, (9) Activating cluster of aerospace industry, (10) Designation of air flight test place, etc., (11) Abolishing the designation and assistance of specific enterprise, (12) Abolishing the inspection of performance and quality. The Outer Space Development Promotion Act should be revised with regard to the following matters : (1) Overlapping problem in legal system between the Outer Space Development Promotion Act and the Aerospace industry Development promotion Act, (2) Distribution and adjustment problem of the national research development budget for space development between National Space Committee and National Science Technology Committee, (3) Consideration and preservation of environment in space development, (4) Taking the legal action and maintaining the legal system for policy and regulation relating to space development. The Outer Space Damage Compensation Act should be revised with regard to the following matters : (1) Definition of space damage and indirect damage, (2) Currency unit of limit of compensation liability, (3) Joint liability and compensation claim right of launching person of space object, (4) Establishment of Space Damage Compensation Council. In Korea, it will be possible to make a space tourism in 2013, and it is planned to introduce and operate a manned spaceship in 2013. Therefore, it is necessary to develop the policy relating to the promotion of commercial space transportation industry. Also it is necessary to make the proper maintenance of the current Aviation Law and space development-related laws and regulations for the promotion of space transportation industry in Korea.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.169-177
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• 1999

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of interferon alpha therapy with or without prednisolone in children with chronic hepatitis B. Methods: Twenty-eight children (22 boys, 6 girls, mean age 130 months) had seropositive results for HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA; 11 had chronic persistent hepatitis and 17 had chronic active hepatitis. The patients were divided into two groups depending upon their inflammatory activity on liver biopsy, pretreatment serum ALT levels and HBV DNA levels. Fourteen children (group 1: chronic active hepatitis, ALT ${\geq}$ 100 IU/L and HBV DNA ${\leq}$ 100 pg/$300\;{\mu}L$) received interferon alpha 2a 5 $MU/m^2$ of body surface three times weekly for 6 months. Fourteen children (group 2: chronic persistent hepatitis or chronic active hepatitis with ALT < 100 IU/L or HBV DNA > 100 pg/$300\;{\mu}L$) received prednisolone in decreasing daily doses of 60 mg/$m^2$, 40 mg/$m^2$, and 20 mg/$m^2$, each for 2 weeks, followed after 2 weeks by interferon alpha 2a on the same schedule. At the end of therapy, 3 end points were analyzed: HBeAg seroconversion, serum ALT normalization rate and clearance of serum HBV DNA. Results: At the end of treatment, HBe antigen-to antibody seroconversion was higher but not more significant in group 1 than group 2 (71.4% vs. 50.0%). Only one patient in group 2 who lost HBeAg, also cleared HBsAg. ALT normalization was similar in both groups (64.3% in group 1 vs. 55.6% in group 2). Clearance of serum HBV DNA was observed in 78.6% of patients in group 1 and 64.3% in group 2, but no significant differences. Complete response was similarly achieved in both groups (57.1% in group 1 vs. 50.0% in group 2). Interferon alpha therapy with prednisolone priming was well tolerated and all children finished therapy. Conclusion: The combined therapy with prednisolone followed by interferon alpha may be safe and effective in inducing a serological and biochemical remission of the disease in approximately 50% of children with chronic hepatitis B and with a high level of viral replication and less active disease. However, a controlled study should be performed to confirm these results.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.10
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• pp.939-944
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• 1998

Background: The sugical results of the Cox-Maze procedure (CMP) for lone atrial fibrillation(AF) have proven to be exellent. However, those for AF associated with mitral valve(MV) disease have been reported to be a little inferior. Materials and methods: To assess the efficacy and safety of the CMP as a combined procedure with MV operation, we studied retrospectively our experiences. Between April 1994 and October 1997, we experienced 70 (23 males, 47 females) cases of CMP concomitantly with MV operation. Results: The etiologies of MV disease were rheumatic in 67 and degenerative in 3 cases. The mean duration of AF before sugery was 66$\pm$70 months. Fifteen patients had the past medical history of thromboembolic complications, and left atrial thrombi were identified at operation in 24 patients. Twelve cases were reoperations. Aortic cross clamp (ACC) time was mean 151$\pm$44 minutes, and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time was mean 246$\pm$65 minutes. Concomitant procedures were mitral valve replacement (MVR) in 19, MVR and aortic valve replacement (AVR) in 14, MVR and tricupid annuloplasty (TAP) in 8, MVR with AV repair in 3, MV repair in 11, MVR and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in 2, MVR and AVR and CABG in 1, redo-MVR in 10, redo-MVR and redo-AVR in 2 patients. The rate of hospital mortality was 1.4%(1/70). Perioperative recurrence of AF was seen in 44(62.9%), and atrial tachyarrhythmias in 10(14.3%), low cardiac output syndrome in 4(5.7%), postoperative bleeding that required mediastinal exploration in 4(5.7%) patients. Other complications were acute renal failure in 2, aggravation of preoperative hemiplegia in 1, and transient delirium in 1 patient. We followed up all the survivors for 16.4 months(3-44months) on an average. Sinus rhythm has been restored in 65(94.2%) patients. AF has been controlled by operation alone in 73.9% and operation plus medication in 20.3%. Two patients needed permanent pacemaker implantation; one with sick sinus syndrome, and the other with tachycardia- bradycardia syndrome. Only two patients remained in AF. We followed up our patients with transthoracic echocardiography to assess the atrial contractilities and other cardiac functions. Right atrial contractility could be demonstrated in 92% and left atrial contractility in 53%.We compared our non-redo cases with redo cases. Although the duration of AF was significantly longer in redo cases, there was no differences in ACC time, CPB time, postoperative bleeding amount and sinus conversion rate. Conclusions: In conclusion, the CMP concomitant with MV operation demonstrated a high sinus conversion rate under the acceptable operative risk even in case of reoperation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.12 no.4 s.27
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• pp.293-300
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• 2006

Domestic laws such as Korea Marine Pollution Prevention Law (KMPPL) which has been mae and amended according to the conclusions and amendments of various international conventions for the prevention a marine pollution such as MARPOL 73/78 were reviewed and compared with the major contents of the relevant international conventions. Alternative measures for legislating new laws or amending existing laws such as KMPPL for the acceptance of major contents of existing international conventions were proposed. Annex VI of MARPOL 73/78 into which the regulations for the prevention of air pollution from ship have been adopted has been recently accepted in KMPPL which should be applied to ships which are the moving sources of air pollution at sea rather tlnn in Korea Air Environment Conservation Law which should be applied to automobiles and industrial installations in land. The major contents of LC 72/95 have been accepted in KMPPL However, a few of substances requiring special care in Annex II of 72LC, a few of items in characteristics and composition for the matter in relation to criteria governing the issue of permits for the dumping of matter at sea in Annex III of 72LC, and a few of items in wastes or other matter that may be considered for dumping in Annex I of 96 Protocol have not been accepted in KMPPL yet. The major contents of OPRC 90 have been accepted in KMPPL. However, oil pollution emergency plans for sea ports and oil handling facilities, and national contingency plan for preparedness and response have not been accepted in KMPPL yet. The waste oil related articles if Basel Convention, which shall regulate and prohibit transboundary movement of hazardous waste, should be accepted in KMPPL in order to prevent the transfer if scrap-purpose tanker ships containing oil/water mixtures and chemicals remained on beard from advanced countries to developing and/or underdeveloped countries. International Convention for the Control if Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on the Ships should be accepted in KMPPL rather tlnn in Korea Noxious Chemicals Management Law. International Convention for Ship's Ballast Water/Sediment Management should be accepted in KMPPL or by a new law in order to prevent domestic marine ecosystem and costal environment from the invasion of harmful exotic species through the discharge of ship's ballast water.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.53-61
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• 1998

This study was performed to investigate the antiulcer effects of Opuntia dillenii Haw. on the stomach ulcer induced by restraint and water-immersion stress in rats. For this experiment, 48 male Sprague-Dawley strain were used. The experimental groups were divided into four: a control (C) and 3 Opuntia dillenii Haw. treatment groups (E-1, E-2, E-3). Each dose of Opuntia dillenii Haw. was 30 mg/kg bw (E-1), 60 mgfKg bw (E-2) and 120 mg/kg bw (E-3). The rats were allocated to each group by 12 and observed for 4 weeks. The results were as following: 1. The stomach surface pH in each group showed no significant difference, but the values of Opuntia dillenii Haw. treatment groups were higher than the value of the control group. 2. The gastric wall mucus was increased in all Opuntia dillenii Haw. treatment groups compared with the control group. Especially in E-1 difference was higher (p<0.05) and in E-2 difference was significantly higher (p<0.01). 3. At shear rate 11.25, 45.0, 90.0, $225\;sec^{-1}$, whole blood viscosity and plasma viscosity were measured. Most of the values of Opuntia dillenii Haw. treatment groups were low compared with that of the control group. At shear rate 90.0, $225\;sec^{-1}$ the values of whole blood viscosity in E-1 were significantly low (p<0.05) and at shear rate 11.25, $45.0\;sec^{-1}$, more significant (p<0.01). At shear rate 11.25, 45.0, 90.0, $225\;sec^{-1}$ the values of whole blood viscosity in E-2 were significantly low (p<0.01). At shear rate $90.0\;sec^{-1}$ the value of plasma viscosity in E-1 was significantly low (p<0.05) and at shear rate 90.0, $225\;sec^{-1}$ the values of plasma viscosity in E-2 we resignificantly low (p<0.01). 4. Less severe ulcers were obsered in Opuntia dillenii Haw. treatment groups than in the control group. Especially E-1 groups tissues had only slight ulcers and necrosis of tissue was not observed in this group. From the results of this study, it can be concluded that the oral administratio-n of Opuntia dillenii Haw. results in protection of stomach ulcer by stimulating the secretion of gastric mucus and improving the gastric mucosal microcirculation.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.111-131
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• 2002

Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) received a great deal of attention from the Orient and West as a tonic agent, health food and/or alternative herbal therapeutic agent. However, controversy with respect to scientific evidence on pharmacological effects especially, evaluation of clinical efficacy and the methodological approach still remains to be solved. Author reviewed those articles published since 1980 when pharmacodynamic studies on ginseng have intensively started. Special concern was paid on metabolic disorders including diabetes mellitus, circulatory disorders, malignant tumor, sexual dysfunction, and physical and mental performance to give clear information to those who are interested in pharmacological study of ginseng and to promote its clinical use. With respect to chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, malignant disorders, and sexual disorders, it seems that ginseng plays preventive and restorative role rather than therapeutics. Particularly, ginseng plays a significant role in ameliorating subjective symptoms and preventing quality of life from deteriorating by long term exposure of chemical therapeutic agents. Also it seems that the potency of ginseng is mild, therefore it could be more effective when used concomitantly with conventional therapy. Clinical studies on the tonic effect of ginseng on work performance demonstrated that physical and mental dysfunction induced by various stresses are improved by increasing adaptability of physical condition. However, the results obtained from clinical studies cannot be mentioned in the indication, which are variable upon the scientist who performed those studies. In this respect, standardized ginseng product and providing planning of the systematic clinical research in double-blind randomized controlled trials are needed to assess the real efficacy for proposing ginseng indication. Pharmacological mode of action of ginseng has not yet been fully elucidated. Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic researches reveal that the role of ginseng not seem to be confined to a given single organ. It has been known that ginseng plays a beneficial role in such general organs as central nervous, endocrine, metabolic, immune systems, which means ginseng improves general physical and mental conditons. Such multivalent effect of ginseng can be attributed to the main active component of ginseng,ginsenosides or non-saponin compounds which are also recently suggested to be another active ingredients. As is generally the similar case with other herbal medicines, effects of ginseng cannot be attributed as a given single compound or group of components. Diversified ingredients play synergistic or antagonistic role each other and act in harmonized manner. A few cases of adverse effect in clinical uses are reported, however, it is not observed when standardized ginseng products are used and recommended dose was administered. Unfavorable interaction with other drugs has also been suggested, which the information on the products and administered dosage are not available. However, efficacy, safety, interaction or contraindication with other medicines has to be more intensively investigated in order to promote clinical application of ginseng. For example, daily recommended doses per day are not agreement as 1-2g in the West and 3-6 g in the Orient. Duration of administration also seems variable according to the purpose. Two to three months are generally recommended to feel the benefit but time- and dose-dependent effects of ginseng still need to be solved from now on. Furthermore, the effect of ginsenosides transformed by the intestinal microflora, and differential effect associated with ginsenosides content and its composition also should be clinically evaluated in the future. In conclusion, the more wide-spread use of ginseng as a herbal medicine or nutraceutical supplement warrants the more rigorous investigations to assess its effacy and safety. In addition, a careful quality control of ginseng preparations should be done to ensure an acceptable standardization of commercial products.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.11
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• pp.1085-1090
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• 2007

Purpose : Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) has become an effective therapeutic modality for treating pediatric tachyarrhythmias. Using conventional RFCA catheters, ablation of parahisian accessory pathways may be difficult and have high risk for heart block. We reviewed the efficacy and complications of the RFCA in children and adolescent with arrhythmias including parahisian accessory pathways. Methods : We studied 48 patients (aged 2 years to 20 years) who had undergone RFCA from August 2003 to March 2007. We reviewed clinical findings, electrophysiologic studies, RFCA data, complications, and follow-up results of the patients. Results : Mean age of the patients was 13.1 years. Numbers and types of arrhythmias (age, acute success rate) were as follows: 19 WPW syndrome including 5 parahisian accessory pathways ($13.7{\pm}4.6yr$, 18/19), 11 atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia with concealed bypass tract ($12.3{\pm}5.0yr$, 10/11), 13 atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia ($12.6{\pm}4.4yr$, 13/13), 4 atrial flutter ($13.0{\pm}7.4yr$, 3/4), and 1 ventricular tachycardia (20 yr, 1/1). Associated cardiac structural lesion was not detected in 48 patients. The recurrence rate was 6.5%, and the final success rate was 93.8%. Conclusion : These results suggest that RFCA is a highly effective treatment method in children and adolescent with tachyarrhythmia.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.315-332
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• 2005

This study was conducted to assess the nutritional value and the safety of the fermented food wastes (FFW) made by adding lactobacillus spp. and bacillus spp. at the ratio of 3:7, respectively to food wastes collected everywhere, and also to determine effects on the performances, carcass characteristics and economical profitability when FFW was fed to pigs. For swine trial, FFW was formulate to pellet by utilizing different feed ingredients, and its formulated FFW pellet was used in this feeding trial. Treatments were consisted of different ratios (T1: $100+0\%$, T2: $75+25\%$, T3: $50+50\%$, T4: $25+75\%$, T5: $0+100\%$) of FFW pellet to commercial diet. A total of 20 male pigs were allotted to treatments of five groups of four pigs per pen. Experimental period lasted for 4 months. The nutritional composition of FFW was 56.7, 19.5 and $19.5\%$ for moisture, crude protein and ether extract, respectively. Salt content was $0.39\%$. Noxious microorganisms such as salmonella and E. coli were not detected in FFW, and contents of heavy metal and aflatoxin B1 were lower than the standard. Nutritional values of FFW pellet satisfied over $100\%$ of requirements presented in official Korean feeding standard for swine. Feeding trial for pigs showed that feed intakes were significantly (P<0.05) decreased with increasing levels of FFW pellet. T2 treatment was ideal ratio under the consideration of economical value of feeds and body weight gain of pigs. For carcass characteristics, dressing rate ($\%$) was highest in T3, and carcass grades for T2, T3 and T4 treatments were estimated as 'A'. Feed cost for FFW per kg was ${\won}167.95$, which implies $52\%$ of commercial feed cost (${\won}350/kg$). Thus, this result implied the decreased feed cost in the swine farm. Conclusively, the utilization of food wastes as feed source may lead to the reduced environmental pollution and the practice of organic livestock farming. However, our results showed that excessive amount of fermented food wastes supplementation to pigs might give rise to their reduced palatability and delayed growth.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.655-662
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• 2010

Background: Despite the rapid expansion of percutaneous endovascular repair, open surgical repair is still recognized as an option to achieve a cure. We retrospectively analyzed over a 6 year period the surgical outcomes, the complications and the mortality-related factors for patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms. Material and Method: We analyzed 36 patients who underwent surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysms between May 2001 and June 2005, and between April 2007 and November 2009. The indications for surgery were rupture, a maximal aortic diameter > 50 mm, and medically intractable hypertension or pain. Result: The mean patient age was $69.67{\pm}6.97$ years (range: 57 to 84 years). Thirty two patients (88.9%) were males and 4 patients (11.1%) were females. Extension to the iliac artery existed in 28 patients (77.8%). Thirteen patients (36.1%) had ruptured aortic aneurysms. The mean maximal diameter of the aorta was $73.7{\pm}13.3$ mm (60 to 100 mm). Surgery was performed by a midline laparotomy and 10 patients (27.8%) underwent emergency surgery. The mortality rate was 8.3%; the mortality rate for the patients with ruptured aneurysms was 23.1 % and the mortality rate for patients with unruptured aneurysms was 0%. The postoperative complications included wound infection (3 cases), sepsis (2 cases), renal failure (2 cases) and pneumonia (1 case). Unstable vital signs, pre-operative transfusion, ruptured aneurysm, emergency surgery, comorbidity (DM and syncope) and complications (sepsis and renal failure) were the statistically significant mortality-related factors (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Emergency surgery for ruptured aortic aneurysms continues to have high mortality, but the unruptured cases are repaired with relative safety. Even though endovascular aortic repair is the trend for abdominal aortic aneurysms, an elective operation of the unruptured aneurysms could decrease the procedure's morbidity and the inconvenient for repeat evaluation with good surgical results.