Factors Affecting Survival after Endovascular Aneurysm Repair: Results from a Population Based Audit

Predictors of overall mortality after endovascular abdominal aortic repair - A single centre study

OBJECTIVES

A current and ongoing challenge is to reduce patient mortality after endovascular abdominal aortic repair (EVAR). This study aimed to assess the predictors of all-cause mortality after EVAR.

METHODS

Data regarding the demographic characteristics, comorbidities, laboratory values, selected anatomical factors, post-EVAR treatment, surveillance and complications of patients who underwent elective EVAR for non-ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) between January 2010 and January 2021 were evaluated. Mortality was assessed until 10 October 2023. Multivariate analyses were performed after adjusting for age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia, sex, smoking, number of lumbar arteries, patency of inferior mesenteric artery (IMA), IMA diameter and reinterventions.

RESULTS

This study included 196 patients (183 men and 13 women) with a mean age of 72.4 ± 7.67 years. The overall mortality rate during a mean follow-up period of 5.75 ± 3.1 years was 50.0% (N = 98). The 2-, 5- and 10-year mortality rates were 9.7%, 32.0% and 66.6%, respectively. The mortality rates decreased by 59% in patients with reinterventions (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.41; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.23-0.73; p = .002) and by 59% in patients treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) (HR: 0.41; 95% CI: 0.26-0.66; p < .001). Chronic anticoagulation was associated with 2.09-fold higher mortality (HR: 2.09; 95% CI: 1.19-3.67; p = .010), and coronary artery disease (CAD) was associated with 1.74-fold higher mortality (HR: 1.74; 95% CI: 1.09-2.78; p = .021). Pre-EVAR AAA diameter and 1-year post-EVAR sac diameter were positively associated with mortality (HR: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.03-1.08; p < .001, and HR: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.03-1.07; p < .001, respectively), that is, an increase of pre-EVAR and/or 1-year post-EVAR AAA diameter by 1 mm was associated with a 5% higher risk of all-cause mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Reinterventions and treatment with ACE inhibitors or ARBs may be associated with decreased post-EVAR mortality. A greater pre-EVAR, a post-EVAR AAA diameter, CAD and chronic anticoagulation were associated with higher all-cause mortality post-EVAR.

Pre-operative Aortic Anatomic Features as Predictors of Clinical Outcomes Following Endovascular Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: A Retrospective Cohort Study

ARTICLE REMOVED.

Comparative performance of three comorbidity scores in predicting survival after the elective repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms

BACKGROUND

We aimed to study the discriminative power of 3 comorbidity scores for predicting 5-year survival after the elective repair of aorto-iliac aneurysms (AAA).

METHODS

444 patients with AAA undergoing elective repair (33% open and 67% endovascular) between 2000 and 2020 were reviewed. The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and subsequent adjustments by Schneeweiss, Quan and Armitage, the Modified Frailty Index (MFI) and the American Society of Anesthesiologists Score (ASA) were calculated from preoperative data. Their association with 5-year survival was analyzed using Cox regression models and their discriminative power and its changes with C statistics and Net Reclassification Index (NRI).

RESULTS

All comorbidity scores were associated with survival after adjusting by age, sex and type of surgical repair: original CCI HR=1.24, P<0.001; Schneeweiss CCI HR=1.23, P<0.001; Quan CCI HR=1.27, P<0.001, Armitage CCI HR=1.46, P<0.001, MFI HR=1.39, P<0.001 and ASA HR=1.68 (P=0.04) and 2.86 (P=0.01) for classes III and IV, respectively. Associated C statistics were of 0.64, 0.65, 0.65, 0.64, 0.61 and 0.59, respectively. Compared with the original CCI, models based on Schneeweiss CCI and Armitage CCI provided minor improvements in NRI (0.32 and 0.23), and the model based on ASA showed lower C statistics (P=0.014) and NRI (-0.30).

CONCLUSIONS

Established comorbidity scores, such as CCI, MFI or ASA, are all associated with 5-year survival after the elective repair of AAAs, being ASA the worst of them. However, their predictive power is in no case sufficient to identify, by themselves, those patients who may not be eligible for intervention on the basis of life expectancy.

A Randomised Controlled Trial Assessing the Effects of Peri-operative Fenofibrate Administration on Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Pathology: Outcomes From the FAME Trial

OBJECTIVE

Experimental studies suggest that fenofibrate prevents abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) development by lowering aortic osteopontin (OPN) concentration and reducing the number of macrophages infiltrating the aortic wall. The current study examined the effects of a short course of fenofibrate on AAA pathology in people with large AAAs awaiting aortic repair.

METHODS

This randomised double blind parallel trial included male and female participants aged ≥ 60 years who had an asymptomatic AAA measuring ≥ 50 mm and were scheduled to undergo open AAA repair. Participants were allocated to fenofibrate (145 mg/day) or matching placebo for at least two weeks before elective AAA repair. Blood samples were collected at recruitment and immediately prior to surgery. AAA biopsies were obtained during aortic surgery. The primary outcomes were (1) AAA OPN concentration; (2) serum OPN concentration; and (3) number of AAA macrophages. Exploratory outcomes included circulating and aortic concentrations of other proteins previously associated with AAA. Outcomes assessed at a single time point were compared using logistic regression. Longitudinal outcomes were compared using linear mixed effects models.

RESULTS

Forty-three participants were randomised. After three withdrawals, 40 were followed until the time of surgery (21 allocated fenofibrate and 19 allocated placebo). As expected, serum triglycerides reduced significantly from recruitment to the time of surgery in participants allocated fenofibrate. No differences in any of the primary and exploratory outcomes were observed between groups.

CONCLUSION

A short course of 145 mg of fenofibrate/day did not lower concentrations of OPN or aortic macrophage density in people with large AAAs.

Impact of Gradual Adoption of EVAR in Elective Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: A Retrospective Cohort Study from 2009 to 2015

INTRODUCTION

The recommendations about the preferred type of elective repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) still divides guidelines committees, even nowadays. The aim is to assess outcomes after AAA repair focusing on differences between endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and open surgical repair (OSR).

METHODS

The observational retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients submitted to elective AAA repair at a tertiary center, 2009-2015. Exclusion criteria were as follows: nonelective cases or complex aortic aneurysms. Primary outcomes were postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, survival, freedom from aortic-related mortality, and vascular reintervention. Time trends were assessed along the period under analysis.

RESULTS

From a total of 211 included patients, those submitted to EVAR were older (74 ± 7 vs. 67 ± 9 years; P < 0.001), presented a higher prevalence of hypertension (83.5% vs. 68.5%, P = 0.004), obesity (28.7% vs. 14.3%, P = 0.029), previous cardiac revascularization (30.5% vs. 14.7%, P = 0.005), heart failure (17.2% vs. 5.2%, P = 0.013), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (32.8% vs. 13.3%, P = 0.002). Patients were followed during a median of 49 months. EVAR resulted in a significantly shorter length of hospital stay (median 4 and interquartile range 3 vs. 8 (9); P < 0.001), lower 30-day complications (10.6% vs. 22.8%, P = 0.017), lower aortic-related mortality, and similar reintervention after adjustment with a propensity score. Along the time under analysis, EVAR became the predominate type of repair (P = 0.024), the proportion of complications decreased (P = 0.014), and the 30-day mortality (P = 0.035).

CONCLUSIONS

Although EVAR was offered to patients with more comorbidities, better and durable outcomes were achieved after EVAR, favoring its adoption for elective AAA repair.

Sarcopenia predicts mortality and adverse outcomes after endovascular aneurysm repair and can be used to risk stratify patients

BACKGROUND

Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is currently the most common treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Potential predictors of long-term survival after EVAR include physiologic, functional, and cognitive status, but assessments of these conditions have been difficult to standardize. Objective radiographic findings, such as skeletal muscle atrophy, or sarcopenia, may provide an additional means for selection of patients. This study investigates sarcopenia as a method to predict 1-year survival in patients undergoing EVAR.

METHODS

A single-institution retrospective review was conducted of all patients who underwent elective EVAR from September 2002 to June 2014. Patients with an available periprocedural computed tomography (CT) scan and clinical data were included in the analysis. Normalized total psoas cross-sectional area (nTPA) was measured on axial CT images using the area of the bilateral psoas muscle at the third lumbar vertebral level normalized to the square of patient height. A threshold for optimal estimate of sarcopenia based on nTPA was determined using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Sarcopenia was evaluated as an independent risk predictor using univariate, multivariate, and survival analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 272 EVAR-treated patients were evaluated, including 237 men and 35 women with a median age of 72 years and mean body mass index of 28.6 kg/m². There was a significant increase in overall mortality in patients in the lowest quartile of nTPA (Q1, 23.53%; Q2, 13.24%; Q3, 7.35%; Q4, 5.88%; P = .01). The estimated nTPA threshold for increased mortality after EVAR was 500 mm²/m². Using this threshold, sarcopenia accounted for 57% of the risk effect in our 1-year survival model.

CONCLUSIONS

Sarcopenia can assist in identifying EVAR candidates who are less likely to benefit from surgery. It can be readily evaluated from preoperative CT scans and may be a useful tool in evaluation of abdominal aortic aneurysm patients with applications in risk evaluation and telemedicine.

Clinical Outcomes of Endovascular Aneurysm Repair with the Kilt Technique for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms with Hostile Aneurysm Neck Anatomy: A Korean Multicenter Retrospective Study

PURPOSE

We aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and short-term clinical outcomes of Kilt technique-based endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) with Seal^® stent-grafts for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) with hostile neck anatomy (angle > 60°).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated the pre-EVAR and follow-up computed tomography angiography findings of 24 patients (mean age 71 ± 11 years; age range 32-87 years; mean follow-up 50 ± 12 months) with hostile neck AAAs treated between 2010 and 2015. Serial change in aneurysmal neck angle was calculated using a standardized protocol. Relationships between clinical variables and outcomes were evaluated using univariate and multivariate Cox analyses and mixed-model regression. In addition, the Kaplan-Meier method was used to assess the cumulative rates of survival, endoleak, and reintervention.

RESULTS

The primary technical success rate (success within 24 h after EVAR) was 100% (24/24). The survival rate was 96 ± 8% at 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, and 3 years, and 87 ± 18% at 5 years. Endoleaks occurred in three patients. Four reinterventions were performed in three patients; no surgical revisions were required. Causes of post-EVAR mortality included intracerebral hemorrhage at 14 days and rhabdomyolysis at 32 months. The most remarkable change after Kilt-based EVAR was an acute decrease in the neck angle, which was observed between the pre-EVAR and first follow-up visits (at 1 month) (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Kilt-based EVAR with Seal^® stent-grafts for AAAs with a severely angulated neck (angle > 60°) provided high technical success, low mortality, and low complication rates during short-term follow-up.

Circulating biomarkers are not associated with endoleaks after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms

OBJECTIVE

Endoleak is a common complication of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) but can be detected only through prolonged follow-up with repeated aortic imaging. This study examined the potential for circulating matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), osteoprotegerin (OPG), D-dimer, homocysteine (HCY), and C-reactive protein (CRP) to act as diagnostic markers for endoleak in AAA patients undergoing elective EVAR.

METHODS

Linear mixed-effects models were constructed to assess differences in AAA diameter after EVAR between groups of patients who did and did not develop endoleak during follow-up, adjusting for potential confounders. Circulating MMP9, OPG, D-dimer, HCY, and CRP concentrations were measured in preoperative and postoperative plasma samples. The association of these markers with endoleak diagnosis was assessed using linear mixed effects adjusted as before. The potential for each marker to diagnose endoleak was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves.

RESULTS

Seventy-five patients were included in the study, 24 of whom developed an endoleak during follow-up. Patients with an endoleak had significantly larger AAA sac diameters than those who did not have an endoleak. None of the assessed markers showed a significant association with endoleak. This was confirmed through receiver operating characteristic curve analyses indicating poor diagnostic ability for all markers.

CONCLUSIONS

Circulating concentrations of MMP9, OPG, D-dimer, HCY, and CRP were not associated with endoleak in patients undergoing EVAR in this study.

Fitness plus American Society of Anesthesiologists grade improve outcome prediction after endovascular aneurysm repair

BACKGROUND

Although the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade was established for statistical purposes, it is often used prognostically. However, older patients undergoing elective surgery are typically ASA III, which limits patient stratification. We look at the prognostic effect on early complications and survival of using ASA and self-reported physical fitness to stratify patients undergoing endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

METHODS

Data were extracted from a trial database. All patients were assigned a fitness level (A (fit) or B (unfit)) based on their self-reported ability to walk briskly for 1 km or climb two flights of stairs. Fitness was used to stratify ASA III patients, with fitter patients assigned ASA IIIA and less fit patients ASA IIIB. Outcomes assessed included survival, reinterventions, endoleak, all early and late complications and early operative complications.

RESULTS

A combined ASA/fitness scale (II, IIIA, IIIB and IV) correlated with 1- and 3-year survival (1-year P = 0.001, 3-year P = 0.001) and early and late complications (P = 0.001 and P = 0.05). On its own, ASA predicted early complications (P = 0.0004) and survival (1-year P = 0.01, 3-year P = 0.01). Fitness alone was predictive for survival (1-year P = 0.001, 3-year P = 0.001) and late complications (P = 0.009).

CONCLUSION

This study shows that even a superficial assessment of fitness is reflected in surgical outcomes, with fitter ASA III patients showing survival patterns similar to ASA II patients. Physicians should be alert to differences in fitness between patients in the ASA III group, despite similarities based on preexisting severe systemic disease.

An anatomic risk model to screen post endovascular aneurysm repair patients for aneurysm sac enlargement

BACKGROUND

Follow-up computed tomography angiography (CTA) scans add considerable postimplantation costs to endovascular aneurysm repairs (EVARs) of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). By building a risk model, we hope to identify patients at low risk for aneurysm sac enlargement to minimize unnecessary CTAs.

METHODS

895 consecutive patients who underwent EVAR for AAA were reviewed, of which 556 met inclusion criteria. A Probit model was created for aneurysm sac enlargement, with preoperative aneurysm morphology, patient demographics, and operative details as variables.

RESULTS

Our final model included 287 patients and had a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 68.9%, and an accuracy of 70.4%. Ninety-nine (35%) of patients were assigned to the high-risk group, whereas 188 (65%) of patients were assigned to the low-risk group. Notably, regarding anatomic variables, our model reported that age, pulmonary comorbidities, aortic neck diameter, iliac artery length, and aneurysms were independent predictors of post-EVAR sac enlargement. With the exception of age, all statistically significant variables were qualitatively supported by prior literature. With regards to secondary outcomes, the high-risk group had significantly higher proportions of AAA-related deaths (5.1% versus 1.1%, P = 0.037) and Type 1 endoleaks (9.1% versus 3.2%, P = 0.033).

CONCLUSIONS

Our model is a decent predictor of patients at low risk for post AAA EVAR aneurysm sac enlargement and associated complications. With additional validation and refinement, it could be applied to practices to cut down on the overall need for postimplantation CTA.

Survival After Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair in a Population with a Low Incidence of Coronary Artery Disease

BACKGROUND

Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) is a prophylactic procedure, so the decision to operate should consider, as recent guidelines suggest, the life expectancy of the patient. Several models for predicting life span have been already designed, but little is known about how intervened patients evolve in Southern European Countries, where the incidence of coronary artery disease, the main cause of death among these subjects, is low.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 176 consecutive patients who underwent elective EVAR at the Vascular Surgery Department of the Hospital del Mar (Barcelona, Spain) during 2000-2014. Cox regressions were performed to identify preoperative factors associated with long-term survival after EVAR, and a risk model was developed.

RESULTS

Three- and five-year survival rates were 73.9 and 53.9 %, respectively. During the follow-up, 72 deaths (40.9 %) were registered, cancer being the most frequent cause (41.7 %). Preoperative variables negatively associated with long-term survival were serum creatinine ≥ 150 µmol/L (HR 2.5; 95 % CI 1.4-4.2), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HR 1.9; 95 % CI 1.2-3.1), atrial fibrillation (HR 2.0; 95 % CI 1.2-3.4), and prior cancer history (HR 1.9; 95 % CI 1.2-3.1). Distal pulses present in both lower limbs were marginally associated with survival (HR 0.65; 95 % CI 0.4-1.07). The survival predictive model showed a good discrimination capacity (C statistic = 0.703; 95 % CI 0.641-0.765).

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term survival of patients submitted to EVAR in our setting was worse than expected and markedly related to cancer. Our study suggests that predictive models for long-term survival after EVAR may be influenced by regional characteristics of the intervened population. This effect should be taken in consideration in the decision-making process of these patients.

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Long-term survival After Elective Infrarenal Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair 1969-2011: 5 Year Survival Remains Poor Despite Advances in Medical Care and Treatment Strategies

Background

Improved critical care, pre-operative optimization, and the advent of endovascular surgery (EVAR) have improved 30 day mortality for elective abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. It remains unknown whether this has translated into improvements in long-term survival, particularly because these factors have also encouraged the treatment of older patients with greater comorbidity. The aim of this study was to quantify how 5 year survival after elective AAA repair has changed over time.

Methods

A systematic review was performed identifying studies reporting 5 year survival after elective infrarenal AAA repair. An electronic search of the Embase and Medline databases was conducted to January 2014. Thirty-six studies, 60 study arms, and 107,814 patients were identified. Meta-analyses were conducted to determine 5 year survival and to report whether 5 year survival changed over time.

Results

Five-year survival was 69% (95% CI 67 to 71%, I² = 87%). Meta-regression on study midpoint showed no improvement in 5 year survival over the period 1969–2011 (log OR −0.001, 95% CI −0.014–0.012). Larger average aneurysm diameter was associated with poorer 5 year survival (adjusted log OR −0.058, 95% CI −0.095 to −0.021, I² = 85%). Older average patient age at surgery was associated with poorer 5 year survival (adjusted log OR −0.118, 95% CI −0.142 to −0.094, I² = 70%). After adjusting for average patient age, an improvement in 5 year survival over the period that these data spanned was obtained (adjusted log OR 0.027, 95% CI 0.012 to 0.042).

Conclusion

Five-year survival remains poor after elective AAA repair despite advances in short-term outcomes and is associated with AAA diameter and patient age at the time of surgery. Age-adjusted survival appears to have improved; however, this cohort as a whole continues to have poor long-term survival. Research in this field should attempt to improve the life expectancy of patients with repaired AAA and to optimise patient selection.

Performance of the Endurant stent graft in challenging anatomy

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare perioperative and postoperative outcomes after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) in patients with various neck morphologic features.

METHODS

Data from the Endurant Stent Graft Natural Selection Global Postmarket Registry (ENGAGE) were used for the analyses. Patients were categorized into three different groups according to proximal aortic neck anatomy: regular (REG), intermediate (INT), and challenging (CHA). REG was defined as AAAs with a proximal neck ≥15 mm combined with a suprarenal angulation (α) ≤45 degrees and an infrarenal neck angulation (ß) ≤60 degrees. INT was defined as AAAs with a proximal neck of 10 to 15 mm combined with α ≤45 degrees and ß ≤60 degrees or with a proximal neck of >15 mm combined with α ≤60 degrees and ß = 60 to 75 degrees or α = 45 to 60 degrees and ß ≤75 degrees. CHA was defined as infrarenal necks that exceed at least one of the three defining factors.

RESULTS

Overall, 925 patients (75.9%) had REG anatomy, 189 patients (15.5%) had INT anatomy, and 104 patients (8.5%) had CHA anatomy. Patient demographics and risk factors were similar. There was a significant difference in AAA diameter between the REG and CHA groups (59.4 mm vs 65.2 mm; P < .001). Technical success was similar among groups (REG 99.1% vs INT 99.5% vs CHA 97.1%). There were no differences in mortality or the need for secondary procedures within 30 days or at 1 year. A significantly higher rate of type I endoleaks within 30 days was seen in CHA compared with REG (adjusted odds ratio, 0.15; 95% confidence interval, 0.05-0.46) and INT (adjusted odds ratio, 0.08; 95% confidence interval, 0.01-0.70), but there was no difference at 1-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

This real-world, global experience shows promising results and indicates that endovascular AAA repair with the Endurant stent graft (Medtronic Vascular, Santa Rosa, Calif) is safe and effective in patients with challenging aortic neck anatomy. However, long-term follow-up of patients is required to confirm results.

Self-reported fitness of American Society of Anesthesiologists class 3 patients undergoing endovascular aneurysm repair predicts patient survival

BACKGROUND

Most patients undergoing elective endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) are classified American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) 3. However, the severity of systemic disease among these patients can vary, resulting in markedly different levels of fitness. In this study, we explored the hypothesis that ASA 3 patients with good self-reported exercise tolerance have better survival after EVAR.

METHODS

Data for EVAR patients classified ASA 3 were extracted retrospectively from a prospectively collected registry database. Patients were split into two groups according to fitness level, based on their self-reported ability to climb stairs or to walk briskly for 1 km. Patient survival for each group was assessed by Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

During follow-up of 392 patients for a mean of 1.9 years, there were 64 deaths (16.3%), 13.4% in the more physically able group and 21.6% in the less able group. Self-reported inability to walk or to climb stairs was associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 3.55; P < .0001). Following risk adjustment for a number of possible confounding variables, fitness remained significant (hazard ratio, 3.03; P = .0011).

CONCLUSIONS

This study has shown that among ASA 3 patients, self-reported exercise capacity is an excellent means of predicting survival. Physicians should consider the physical fitness of their ASA 3 patients when discussing treatment options.

A systematic review of protocols for the three-dimensional morphologic assessment of abdominal aortic aneurysms using computed tomographic angiography

The morphology of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) directly influences the perioperative outcome and long-term durability of endovascular aneurysm repair. A variety of methods have been proposed for the characterization of AAA morphology using reconstructed three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) images. At present, there is lack of consensus as to which of these methods is most applicable to clinical practice or research. The purpose of this review was to evaluate existing protocols that used 3D CT images in the assessment of various aspects of AAA morphology. An electronic search was performed, from January 1996 to the end of October 2010, using the Embase and Medline databases. The literature review conformed to PRISMA statement standards. The literature search identified 604 articles, of which 31 studies met inclusion criteria. Only 15 of 31 studies objectively assessed reproducibility. Existing published protocols were insufficient to define a single evidence-based methodology for preoperative assessment of AAA morphology. Further development and expert consensus are required to establish a standardized and validated protocol to determine precisely how morphology relates to outcomes after endovascular aneurysm repair.

Three-dimensional aortic aneurysm model and endovascular repair: an educational tool for surgical trainees

OBJECTIVES

Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) is a current valid treatment option for patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). The success of EVAR depends on the selection of appropriate patients, which requires detailed knowledge of the patient's vascular anatomy and preoperative planning. Three-dimensional (3D) models of AAA using a rapid prototyping technique were developed to help surgical trainees learn how to plan for EVAR more effectively.

METHOD

Four cases of AAA were used as prototypes for the models. Nine questions associated with preoperative planning for EVAR were developed by a group of experts in the field of endovascular surgery. Forty-three postgraduate trainees in general surgery participated in the present study. The participants were randomly assigned into two groups. The 'intervention' group was provided with the rapid prototyping AAA models along with 3D computed tomography (CT) corresponding to the cases of the test, while the control group was provided with 3D CTs only.

RESULTS

Differences in the scores between the groups were tested using the unpaired t test. The mean test scores were consistently and significantly higher in the 3D CT group with models compared with the 3D CT group without models for all four cases. Age, year of training, sex and previous EVAR experience had no effect on the scores.

CONCLUSION

The 3D aortic aneurysm model constructed using the rapid prototype technique may significantly improve the ability of trainees to properly plan for EVAR.

Incidence and Survival Outcome Following Femoral Artery Reconstruction During Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

Background: Planned or unplanned reconstruction of the common femoral artery (femoro-femoral crossover and/or patch closure) may be required following endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) stent graft deployment for arterial closure or maintenance of limb perfusion. The aim of this study was to examine the incidence of common femoral artery reconstruction (FAR) following EVAR and examine the effect on patient survival. Methods: A total of 178 patients undergoing EVAR were studied retrospectively. Results: In all, 31 patients (17.4%) underwent FAR; 16 (51.6%) femoro-femoral crossover, and 15 (48.4%) endarterectomy and patch closure. All cause survival in patients undergoing FAR was significantly poorer than those undergoing direct closure (P = .010).A total of 3 factors: the need for FAR (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.435, P = .006), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ([COPD] HR = 0.424, P = .002), and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) size (HR = 1.414, P = .005) were significantly and independently associated with survival on forward conditional analysis. Conclusions: Femoral artery reconstruction was performed in almost 1 in 5 patients undergoing EVAR and associated with decreased survival. Multidisciplinary teams should be aware of these findings when planning EVAR, especially in borderline candidates.

Can Laboratory Tests Predict the Prognosis of Patients after Endovascular Aneurysm Repair? Current Status and Future Directions

The purpose of this study was to determine what laboratory values predict the prognosis of patients after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). MEDLINE and Cochrane Library databases were searched. This resulted in 13 relevant articles. Data were pooled, and meta-analyses were performed. A meta-analysis including 5,655 patients showed that preoperative serum creatinine > 1.5 mg/dL was a significant risk indicator for increased 30-day mortality (relative risk 3.0, 95% confidence interval 2.3–4.1, p < .0001). Four other studies showed that other cutoff values of creatinine or glomerular filtration rate can predict mortality and complications following EVAR. One study suggested that reduced preoperative hemoglobin is a risk indicator for reduced long-term survival. Increased serum creatinine, reduced glomerular filtration rate, and reduced hemoglobin are significant and strong predictors of mortality and complications after EVAR. Current evidence remains limited, and further research is needed to determine conclusively additional laboratory values that may predict the outcome of patients following EVAR.

ASERNIP-S: international trend setting

The Australian Safety and Efficacy Register of New Interventional Procedures--Surgical (ASERNIP-S) came into being 10 years ago to provide health technology assessments specifically tailored towards new surgical techniques and technologies. It was and remains the only organisation in the world to focus on this area of research. Most funding has been provided by the Australian Government Department of Health, and assessments have helped inform the introduction of new surgical techniques into Australia. ASERNIP-S is a project of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. The ASERNIP-S program employs a diverse range of methods including systematic reviews, technology overviews, assessments of new and emerging surgical technologies identified by horizon scanning, and audit. Support and guidance for the program is provided by Fellows of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. ASERNIP-S works closely with consumers to produce health technology assessments and audits, as well as consumer information to keep patients fully informed of research. Since its inception, the ASERNIP-S program has developed a strong international profile through the production of over 60 reports on evidence-based surgery, surgical technologies and audit. The work undertaken by ASERNIP-S has evolved from assessments of the safety and efficacy of procedures to include guidance on policies and surgical training programs. ASERNIP-S needs to secure funding so that it can continue to play an integral role in the improvement of quality of care both in Australia and internationally.