BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of data on direct comparison of clinical measures in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and those with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Here, we examine the risk factors and outcomes between these 2 conditions. METHODS: Group differences were examined by Fisher's exact tests with Bonferroni correction, postoperative complications (including delirium and pneumonia) and LOS by logistic regression, and mortality by Cox regression, adjusted for age, sex, smoking, co-morbidities and medications. RESULTS: In total, 160 men and 33 women aged 74.5years (SD = 9.4) were referred for preoperative cardiac assessment for AAA ( CONCLUSIONS: Differences between AAA and PAD in risk profile and management which may have a bearing on higher risk of death associated with PAD. More intensive cardiovascular management may help improve their outcomes.