Sample cases were identified by NCEPOD local reporters. This was done either at the end of each month or at the end of the two month period. Cases were identified as samples if they were coded with one of the Office of Population Census and Surveys’ (OPCS) procedure codes or International Classification of Diseases’ (ICD) diagnosis codes which are listed in Table 1.
| Table 1. OPCS and ICD codes used to identify sample cases |
| OPCS Procedure codes (4th Revision) |
| L18.3 |
Emergency replacement of aneurysmal segment of suprarenal abdominal aorta by anastomosis of aorta to aorta |
| L18.4 |
Emergency replacement of aneurysmal segment of infrarenal abdominal aorta by anastomosis of aorta to aorta |
| L18.5 |
Emergency replacement of aneurysmal segment of abdominal aorta by anastomosis of aorta to aorta nec |
| L18.6 |
Emergency replacement of aneurysmal bifurcation of aorta by anastomosis of aorta to iliac artery |
| L18.8 |
Emergency replacement of aneurysmal segment of aorta - other specified |
| L18.9 |
Emergency replacement of aneurysmal segment of aorta - other unspecified |
| L19.3 |
Replacement of aneurysmal segment of suprarenal abdominal aorta by anastomosis of aorta to aorta nec |
| L19.4 |
Replacement of aneurysmal segment of infrarenal abdominal aorta by anastomosis of aorta to aorta nec |
| L19.5 |
Replacement of aneurysmal segment of abdominal aorta by anastomosis of aorta to aorta nec |
| L19.6 |
Replacement of aneurysmal bifurcation of aorta by anastomosis of aorta to iliac artery nec |
| L19.8 |
Replacement of aneurysmal segment of aorta - other specified |
| L19.9 |
Replacement of aneurysmal segment of aorta - other unspecified |
| ICD Diagnosis codes (10th Revision) |
| I71.0 |
Dissecting aneurysm of aorta (ruptured) [any part] |
| I71.3 |
Abdominal aortic aneurysm, ruptured |
| I71.4 |
Abdominal aortic aneurysm, without mention of rupture |
| I71.8 |
Aortic aneurysm of unspecified site, ruptured (Rupture of aorta NOS) |
| I71.9 |
Aortic aneurysm of unspecified site, without mention of rupture: aneurysm, hyaline necrosis, dilatation of aorta |
