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Curry J, Cho NY, Porter G, Vadlakonda A, Kim S, Ali K, de Virgilio C, Benharash P. Hospital-level variation in costs of elective nonruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Surgery 2024; 176:961-967. [PMID: 38879383 DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2024.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND With the aging population in the United States, the incidence of abdominal aortic aneurysms is shifting to older ages. Given changing demographic characteristics and increasing health care expenditures, the present study evaluated the degree of center-level variation in the cost of elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. METHODS We identified all adult (≥18 years) hospitalizations for elective repair of nonruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms in the 2017 to 2020 Nationwide Readmissions Database. Hierarchical mixed-effects models were used to rank hospitals based on risk-adjusted costs. The interclass coefficient was used to calculate the amount of variation attributable to hospital-level characteristics. High-cost hospitals were classified as centers in the top decile of costs. The association of high-cost hospitals status with outcomes of interest was examined. RESULTS An estimated 62,626 patients underwent abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, and 5,011 (8.0%) were managed at high-cost hospitals. Compared with non-high-cost hospitals, high-cost hospitals were more commonly large (52.6% vs 48.3%) metropolitan (78.3% vs 66.9%) teaching centers (all P < .001). The interclass coefficient found that 28% of the observed variation in cost is attributable to hospital factors. After adjustment, high-cost hospitals were associated with increased odds of gastrointestinal (adjusted odds ratio = 1.42; 95% CI, 1.05-1.90) and infectious (adjusted odds ratio = 1.35; 95% CI, 1.14-1.59) complications. Finally, the Elixhauser index (β = +$2,700/unit; 95% CI, $2,500-$3,000) and open repair (β = +$4,100; 95% CI, $3,100-$5,200) were associated with increased costs. CONCLUSION We observed significant variation in cost attributable to center-level differences. Our findings have implications for reimbursement paradigms and the establishment of quality and cost benchmarks in the elective repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Curry
- Cardiovascular Outcomes Research Laboratories, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Nam Yong Cho
- Cardiovascular Outcomes Research Laboratories, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Giselle Porter
- Cardiovascular Outcomes Research Laboratories, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Amulya Vadlakonda
- Cardiovascular Outcomes Research Laboratories, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Shineui Kim
- Cardiovascular Outcomes Research Laboratories, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Konmal Ali
- Cardiovascular Outcomes Research Laboratories, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
| | | | - Peyman Benharash
- Cardiovascular Outcomes Research Laboratories, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA.
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Ramirez JL, Sung E, Jaramillo E, Gasper WJ, Conte MS, Boitano L, Iannuzzi JC. Development and Validation of a Novel Preoperative Risk Score to Identify Patients at Risk for Nonhome Discharge after Elective Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair (EVAR). Ann Vasc Surg 2024; 99:341-348. [PMID: 37852368 DOI: 10.1016/j.avsg.2023.08.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nonhome discharge (NHD) to a rehabilitation or skilled nursing facility after elective endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) is uncommon. However, NHD after surgery has an important impact on patient quality of life and postdischarge outcomes. Understanding factors that put patients undergoing EVAR at high risk for NHD is essential to providing adequate preoperative counseling and shared decision making. This study aimed to identify independent predictors of NHD following elective EVAR and to create a clinically useful preoperative risk score. METHODS Elective EVAR cases were queried from the Society for Vascular Surgery Vascular Quality Initiative 2014-2018. A risk score was created by splitting the data set into two-thirds for development and one-third for validation. A parsimonious stepwise hierarchical multivariable logistic regression controlling for hospital level variation was performed in the development dataset, and the beta-coefficients were used to assign points for a risk score. The score was then validated, and model performance assessed. RESULTS Overall, 24,426 patients were included and 932 (3.8%) required NHD. Multivariable analysis in the development group identified independent predictors of NHD, which were used to create a 20-point risk score. Patients were stratified into 3 groups based upon their risk score: low risk (0-7 points; n = 16,699) with an NHD rate of 1.8%, moderate risk (8-13 points; n = 7,315) with an NHD rate of 7.3%, and high risk (≥14 points; n = 412) with an NHD rate of 21.8%. The risk score had good predictive ability with c-statistic = 0.75 for model development and c-statistic = 0.73 in the validation dataset. CONCLUSIONS This novel risk score can predict NHD following EVAR using characteristics that can be identified preoperatively. Utilization of this score may allow for improved risk assessment, preoperative counseling, and shared decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel L Ramirez
- Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA
| | - Eric Sung
- Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Boston Medical Center, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | - Emanual Jaramillo
- Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Warren J Gasper
- Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Michael S Conte
- Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Laura Boitano
- Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | - James C Iannuzzi
- Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA.
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Attisani L, Villa F, Bellosta R, Luzzani L, Pegorer MA, Fontana F, Piacentino F, Jubouri M, Bashir M, Piffaretti G, Franchin M. Outcomes and Economic Impact of Hypogastric Artery Management During Elective Endovascular Aortic Repair for Aorto-Iliac Aneurysms. Ann Vasc Surg 2023; 96:59-70. [PMID: 37263413 DOI: 10.1016/j.avsg.2023.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To analyze clinical outcomes and perform a macro-costing evaluation of endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) for aorto-iliac aneurysms. METHODS This is a retrospective, financially unsupported, physician-initiated observational cohort study. Patients with iliac artery involvement treated with EVAR between January 1st, 2014 and December 31st, 2021 were identified. Inclusion criteria were intact aneurysm, elective EVAR with at least 1 hypogastric artery (HA) treatment, use of bifurcated endograft (EG), and at least 6 months of follow-up. Primary outcomes of interest were overall survival, freedom from aneurysm-related mortality (ARM), freedom from EVAR-related reintervention, and overall EVAR(procedure)-related costs. RESULTS We studied 122 (9.1%) patients: 119 (97.5%) were male and 3 (2.5%) females. Median age of patients was 76 years (range, 68.75-81). Overall, 107 (87.7%) patients had both HAs preserved according to following strategy: 45 (36.9%) with flared limbs, 13 (10.6%) with bilateral branched device, and 49 (40.2%) with a combination of flared limb on 1 side and branched device on the contralateral side. Bilateral overstenting was performed in 15 (12.3%) patients. Estimated overall survival was not different between groups of EVAR (Log-rank, P = 0.561). There was only 1 (0.8%) ARM ascertained during the follow-up. Estimated freedom from EVAR-related reintervention was not different among groups (Log-rank, P = 0.464). During the follow-up, 9 (7.4%) patients developed buttock claudication (Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) grade 1, n = 4, SVS grade 2, n = 5), more frequently in HA overstenting (hazard ratio (HR): 3.6; 95% confidence intervals (CIs): 0.96-13.5, P = 0.058). When all cots were included, branched EVAR still carried the highest burden (P = 0.001) in comparison with the mixed subgroup, the overstenting subgroup, and the flared limbs subgroup. CONCLUSIONS Early mortality and pelvic ischemic syndromes rate were acceptably low in all techniques. Hypogastric artery preservation showed lower complication rate in comparison with HA overstenting which, however, appears to be safe an effective for option with similar overall costs for patients who are not candidates for HA preservation based on aortic anatomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Attisani
- Vascular Surgery - Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fondazione Poliambulanza, Brescia, Italy
| | - Federico Villa
- Vascular Surgery - Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria School of Medicine, Varese, Italy
| | - Raffaello Bellosta
- Vascular Surgery - Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fondazione Poliambulanza, Brescia, Italy
| | - Luca Luzzani
- Vascular Surgery - Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fondazione Poliambulanza, Brescia, Italy
| | - Matteo Alberto Pegorer
- Vascular Surgery - Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fondazione Poliambulanza, Brescia, Italy
| | - Federico Fontana
- Interventional Radiology - Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria School of Medicine, Varese, Italy
| | - Filippo Piacentino
- Interventional Radiology - Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria School of Medicine, Varese, Italy
| | - Matti Jubouri
- Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, UK
| | - Mohamad Bashir
- Vascular & Endovascular Surgery, Velindre University NHS Trust, Health Education & Improvement Wales, Cardiff, UK
| | - Gabriele Piffaretti
- Vascular Surgery - Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria School of Medicine, Varese, Italy.
| | - Marco Franchin
- Department of Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular Surgery of the ASST Settelaghi University Teaching Hospital, Varese, Italy
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Patel RJ, Cui C, Khan MA, Willie-Permor D, Malas MB. Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Open Versus Endovascular Revascularization for Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia. Ann Vasc Surg 2023; 94:347-355. [PMID: 36878356 PMCID: PMC10475492 DOI: 10.1016/j.avsg.2023.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies have shown a trend supporting endovascular revascularization (ER) in the treatment of chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI). However, few studies have compared the cost effectiveness of ER and open revascularization (OR) for this indication. The purpose of this study is to conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis comparing open versus ER for CMI. METHODS We built a Markov model with Monte Carlo microsimulation using transition probabilities and utilities from existing literature for CMI patients undergoing OR versus ER. Costs were derived from the hospital perspective using the 2020 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. The model randomized 20,000 patients to either OR or ER and allowed for 1 subsequent reintervention with 3 other intervening health states: alive, alive with complications, and dead. Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), costs, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) were analyzed over a 5-year period. One-way sensitivity and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted to study the impact of parameter variability on cost effectiveness. RESULTS OR cost $4,532 for 1.03 QALYs while ER cost $5,092 for 1.21 QALYs, leading to an ICER of $3,037 per QALY gained in the ER arm. This ICER was less than our willingness to pay threshold of $100,000. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that our model was most sensitive to costs, mortality, and patency rates after OR and ER. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis demonstrated ER would be considered cost effective 99% of iterations. CONCLUSIONS This study found that while 5-year costs for ER were greater than OR, ER afforded greater QALYs than OR. Although ER is associated with lower long-term patency and higher rates of reintervention, it appears to be more cost effective than OR for the treatment of CMI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohini J Patel
- Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Christina Cui
- Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Duke Health Systems, Durham, NC
| | - Maryam Ali Khan
- Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Daniel Willie-Permor
- Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Mahmoud B Malas
- Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA.
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The Impact of Endovascular Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms on Vascular Surgery Training in Open Aneurysm Repair. Ann Vasc Surg 2023; 92:1-8. [PMID: 36754163 DOI: 10.1016/j.avsg.2023.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since the introduction of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in 1992, the number of open AAA repair (OAR) cases continue to decline. The consequence of reduced OAR cases raises valid concerns related to patient safety and the future training of vascular surgeons that need to be appropriately addressed. Our objective is to analyze trends in OAR and EVAR cases and to assess their implications on the quality of vascular surgery training. METHODS We analyzed the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) case log database for total clinical experience in OAR and EVAR for graduating vascular surgery fellows (VSFs) finishing 5 + 2 programs between 2002 and 2019 and vascular surgery integrated residents (VSRs) between 2013 and 2019. VSF case totals were calculated by combining average total cases of open and endovascular supra- and infrarenal AAA repair during fellowship years combined with total cases performed during their general surgery residency. VSR case totals included only the cases performed during the 5-year residency period. Isolated Iliac and thoracic aortic aneurysms were excluded from our analysis. RESULTS The average number of OAR cases per trainee has decreased by 60% (from 36.9 to 14.7) with a rate of 1.4 cases per year (P < 0.001) for VSF. Meanwhile, EVAR average cases have increased by 102% (from 22 to 44.4). However, there were 2 different trends exhibited with EVAR over the study period. Between 2002 and 2007, EVAR cases tended to increase by 5.9 cases per year (P < 0.001). Whereas, between 2007 and 2019, there was a slightly decreased trend in EVAR cases by 0.3 cases per year (P = 0.01). For VSR, while no significant trend was observed in the mean number of OAR cases (Coef. -0.3, P = 0.2) due to the limited time frame, the proportion of open cases was significantly lower compared to endovascular cases. Additionally, there were 2 different trends exhibited with EVAR over the study period. Between 2013 and 2015, EVAR cases tended to increase by 1.7 cases per year (P = 0.1). Whereas, between 2015 and 2019, there was a slightly decreased trend in EVAR cases by 0.2 cases per year (P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS A significant reduction in average OAR cases and an increase in EVAR cases were observed over the study period. Vascular surgery training programs may need to introduce further training programs in open surgical repair to ensure vascular surgery trainees have the required technical skills and expertize to perform such a high-risk procedure safely and independently.
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Cost of Follow Up After Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair in Patients With an Initial Post-Operative Computed Tomography Angiogram Without Abnormalities. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2022; 64:602-608. [PMID: 36089184 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2022.08.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The Observing a Decade of Yearly Standardised Surveillance in EVAR patients with Ultrasound or CT Scan (ODYSSEUS) study was conducted to assess differences in outcomes of patients with continued or discontinued yearly follow up after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). Earlier results of this study showed that discontinued follow up was not associated with poor outcomes. Therefore, an incremental cost analysis and budget impact analysis of de-implementation of yearly imaging following EVAR was performed. METHODS In total, 1 596 patients from the ODYSSEUS study were included. The expected cost savings were assessed if yearly imaging was reduced in patients with a post-operative computed tomography angiogram without abnormalities made around 30 days after EVAR. Costs were derived from the Dutch costs manual, benchmark cost prices, and literature review. Costs were expressed in euros (€) and displayed at 2019 prices. Sensitivity analysis was performed by varying costs. RESULTS A difference of 24% in cost was found between patients with continued and discontinued imaging follow up. The cost per patient was €1 935 in the continued group vs. €1 603 per patient in the discontinued group at five years post-EVAR, with a mean difference of €332 (95% bias corrected and accelerated bootstrap confidence interval -741 to 114). De-implementation of yearly imaging would result in an annual nationwide cost saving of €678 471. Sensitivity analysis with variation in adherence rates, imaging, or secondary intervention costs resulted in a saving of at least €271 388 per year. CONCLUSION This study provided an in depth analysis of hospital costs for post-EVAR patients in the Netherlands with a modest impact on the Dutch healthcare budget.
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Tan KHM, Salim S, Machin M, Geroult A, Onida S, Lane T, Davies AH. Abdominal aortic aneurysm clinical practice guidelines: a methodological assessment using the AGREE II instrument. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e056750. [PMID: 35058266 PMCID: PMC8783818 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-056750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) provide evidence-based information on patient management; however, methodological differences exist in the development of CPGs. This study examines the methodological quality of AAA CPGs using a validated assessment tool. METHODS Medline, EMBASE and online CPG databases were searched from 1946 to 31 October 2021. Full-text, English language, evidence-based AAA CPGs were included. Consensus-based CPGs, summaries of CPGs or CPGs which were only available on purchase were excluded. Five reviewers assessed their quality using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II instrument. An overall guideline assessment scaled score of ≥80% was considered as the threshold to recommend CPG use in clinical practice. RESULTS Seven CPGs were identified. Scores showed good inter-reviewer reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.943, 95% CI 0.915 to 0.964). On average, CPGs performed adequately with mean scaled scores of over 50% in all domains. However, between CPGs, significant methodological heterogeneity was observed in all domains. Four CPGs scored ≥80% (European Society of Cardiology, the Society of Vascular Surgery, the European Society of Vascular Surgery and the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence), supporting their use in clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS Four CPGs were considered of adequate methodological quality to recommend their use in clinical practice; nonetheless, these still showed areas for improvement, potentially through performing economic analysis and trial application of recommendations. A structured approach employing validated CPG creation tools should be used to improve rigour of AAA CPGs. Future work should also evaluate recommendation accuracy using validated appraisal tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kia Hau Matthew Tan
- Section of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Safa Salim
- Section of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Matthew Machin
- Section of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Aurélien Geroult
- Section of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Sarah Onida
- Section of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Tristan Lane
- Section of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Cambridge Vascular Unit, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - A H Davies
- Section of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
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D'Oria M, Di Girolamo FG, Calvagna C, Gorgatti F, Altamura N, Lepidi S, Biolo G, Fiotti N. Remodeling of abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Sac following EndoVascular Aortic Repair: Association with Clinical, Surgical, and Genetic factors. Cardiovasc Pathol 2021; 58:107405. [PMID: 34968687 DOI: 10.1016/j.carpath.2021.107405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
After successful EndoVascular Aortic Repair (EVAR), abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) sac will undergo negative remodeling (i.e. shrinkage) as a measure of successful exclusion. Determinants of shrinkage after EVAR are not fully known. In 84 post-EVAR patients, time course of AAA diameter after repair and occurrence of endoleaks (ELs) have been correlated with clinical history, medications, anthropometric data, vascular anatomy, and matrix metalloprotease (MMP) genetic variants (namely MMP-1 rs1799750, MMP-3 rs35068180, MMP-9 rs2234681, rs917576, rs917577, MMP-12 rs652438, and TIMP1 rs4898). During follow-up, 41 ELs were detected in 37 patients (44%, 10.4 events/100 pt./y), accounting for AAA dilation or reduced shrinkage (P<0.001). High-flow ELs (type 1 and/or 3) occurrence was associated with warfarin use, MMP9 rs17577 polymorphism, and unfavorable anatomy, while low-flow type 2 ELs occurred more often in TIMP1 rs4898 non-T carriers. In EL-free patients, AAA diameter decreased for the first three years, (-4, -3 and - 2 mm/year respectively) and remained stable thereafter. Shrinkage between two measurements (n= 120) was associated with smaller AAA diameter at the baseline, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), patients' older age at intervention, and G-/G- genotype in MMP1 rs1799750 (binary logistic regression, P=0.0001). Aneurysmal sac shrinking occurs for few years after EVAR, only in patients without EL, and is related to older age, PAD, smaller aneurysm size and putative lower MMP1 expression while EL occurrence prevents such a remodeling and is mainly related to local-acting factors like unfavorable anatomy, anticoagulation, and MMP9 and TIMP1 genetic polymorphisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario D'Oria
- Unit of Chirurgia Vascolare, Strada di Fiume, 447 34149 Cattinara TRIESTE, ITALY
| | - Filippo Giorgio Di Girolamo
- Unit of Clinica Medica. Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences of the University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume, 447 34149 Cattinara TRIESTE, ITALY
| | - Cristiano Calvagna
- Unit of Chirurgia Vascolare, Strada di Fiume, 447 34149 Cattinara TRIESTE, ITALY
| | - Filippo Gorgatti
- Unit of Chirurgia Vascolare, Strada di Fiume, 447 34149 Cattinara TRIESTE, ITALY
| | - Nicola Altamura
- Unit of Clinica Medica. Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences of the University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume, 447 34149 Cattinara TRIESTE, ITALY
| | - Sandro Lepidi
- Unit of Chirurgia Vascolare, Strada di Fiume, 447 34149 Cattinara TRIESTE, ITALY
| | - Gianni Biolo
- Unit of Clinica Medica. Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences of the University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume, 447 34149 Cattinara TRIESTE, ITALY
| | - Nicola Fiotti
- Unit of Clinica Medica. Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences of the University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume, 447 34149 Cattinara TRIESTE, ITALY.
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Bulder RMA, Eefting D, Vriens PWHE, van Tongeren RB, Matsumura JS, van den Hout WB, Hamming JF, Lindeman JHN. Editor's Choice - A Systemic Evaluation of the Costs of Elective EVAR and Open Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair Implies Cost Equivalence. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2020; 60:655-662. [PMID: 32800479 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2020.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The suggested high costs of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) hamper the choice of insurance companies and financial regulators for EVAR as the primary option for elective abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. However, arguments used in this debate are impeded by time related aspects such as effect modification and the introduction of confounding by indication, and by asymmetric evaluation of outcomes. Therefore, a re-evaluation minimising the impact of these interferences was considered. METHODS A comparative analysis was performed evaluating a period of exclusive open repair (OR; 1998-2000) and a period of established EVAR (2010-2012). Data from four hospitals in The Netherlands were collected to estimate resource use. Actual costs were estimated by benchmark cost prices and a literature review. Costs are reported at 2019 prices. A break even approach, defining the costs for an endovascular device at which cost equivalence for EVAR and OR is achieved, was applied to cope with the large variation in endovascular device costs. RESULTS One hundred and eighty-six patients who underwent elective AAA repair between 1998 and 2000 (OR period) and 195 patients between 2010 and 2012 (EVAR period) were compared. Cost equivalence for OR and EVAR was reached at a break even price for an endovascular device of €13 190. The main cost difference reflected the longer duration of hospital stay (ward and Intensive Care Unit) of OR (€11 644). Re-intervention rates were similar for OR (24.2%) and EVAR (24.6%) (p = .92). CONCLUSION Cost equivalence for EVAR and OR occurs at a device cost of €13 000 for EVAR. Hence, for most routine repairs, EVAR is not costlier than OR until at least the five year follow up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth M A Bulder
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Daniël Eefting
- Department of Surgery, Haaglanden Medisch Centrum, The Hague, the Netherlands
| | - Patrick W H E Vriens
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Elizabeth Tweesteden Ziekenhuis, Tilburg, the Netherlands
| | | | - Jon S Matsumura
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, USA
| | - Wilbert B van den Hout
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jaap F Hamming
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jan H N Lindeman
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands.
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10
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Moxon JV, Rowbotham SE, Pinchbeck JL, Lazzaroni SM, Morton SK, Moran CS, Quigley F, Jenkins JS, Reid CM, Cavaye D, Jaeggi R, Golledge J. A Randomised Controlled Trial Assessing the Effects of Peri-operative Fenofibrate Administration on Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Pathology: Outcomes From the FAME Trial. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2020; 60:452-460. [PMID: 32703634 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2020.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph V Moxon
- The Queensland Research Centre for Peripheral Vascular Disease, College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia; Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, The Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Sophie E Rowbotham
- The University of Queensland, UQ Centre for Clinical Research, Herston, Queensland, Australia; Department of Vascular Surgery, The Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jenna L Pinchbeck
- The Queensland Research Centre for Peripheral Vascular Disease, College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Sharon M Lazzaroni
- The Queensland Research Centre for Peripheral Vascular Disease, College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Susan K Morton
- The Queensland Research Centre for Peripheral Vascular Disease, College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Corey S Moran
- The Queensland Research Centre for Peripheral Vascular Disease, College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Frank Quigley
- Mater Medical Centre, Pimlico, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jason S Jenkins
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Christopher M Reid
- School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Doug Cavaye
- St Vincent's Private Hospital Northside, Chermside, Queensland, Australia
| | - Rene Jaeggi
- The Queensland Research Centre for Peripheral Vascular Disease, College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jonathan Golledge
- The Queensland Research Centre for Peripheral Vascular Disease, College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia; Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, The Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia; Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Townsville University Hospital, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
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11
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Financial viability of endovascular aortic repair in the modern era. J Vasc Surg 2020; 73:494-501. [PMID: 32473346 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2020.05.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the current era of cost containment, the financial impact of high-cost procedures such as endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) remains an area of intensive interest. Previous reports suggested slim to negative operating margins with EVAR, prompting widespread initiatives to reduce cost and to improve reimbursement. In 2015, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the reclassification of EVAR to more specific diagnosis-related group (DRG) coding and predicted an overall increase in hospital reimbursement. The potential impact of this change has not been described. METHODS Patients undergoing elective EVAR at a single institution between January 2014 and December 2018 were identified retrospectively, then stratified by date. Group 1 patients underwent EVAR before DRG change in 2015 and were classified with DRG 237/238, major cardiovascular procedure. Group 2 patients underwent EVAR after the change and were classified as DRG 268/269, aortic/heart assist procedures. The total direct cost included implant cost, operating room (OR) labor, room and board, and other supply costs. Net revenue reflected real payer mix values without extrapolation based on standard Medicare rates. Hospital profit was defined as the contribution to indirect (CTI), subtracting total direct cost from net revenue. RESULTS A total of 188 encounters were included, 67 (36%) in group 1 and 121 (64%) in group 2. Medicare patients composed 84% of group 1 and 81% of group 2. CTI (profit) increased by $4447 (+123%) from $3615 in group 1 to $8062 in group 2. Net revenue per encounter increased by $2054 (+7.1%). In group 1, the higher reimbursement DRG code 237 was applied in 5 of 67 (7.5%) patients, whereas DRG code 268 was assigned in 19 of 121 (15.1%) patients in group 2. Total direct cost per encounter decreased by $2012 (-7.9%). This decrease in cost was driven by a reduction in implant cost, from a mean $16,914 per encounter in group 1 to a mean $15,655 in group 2 (-$1259 or -7.4% per encounter) and by a decrease in OR labor cost, $2838 in group 1 to $2361 in group 2 (-$477 or -17.0% per encounter). CONCLUSIONS A significant improvement in hospital CTI was observed for elective EVAR during the course of the study. The increased DRG reimbursement after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services coding changes in 2015 was a major driver of this salutary change. Notably, efforts to reduce implant and OR cost as well as to improve coding and documentation accuracy over time had an equally important impact on financial return.
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12
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Trooboff SW, Wanken ZJ, Gladders B, Columbo JA, Lurie JD, Goodney PP. Longitudinal Spending on Endovascular and Open Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2020; 13:e006249. [PMID: 32375504 DOI: 10.1161/circoutcomes.119.006249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endovascular repair (EVR) has replaced open surgery as the procedure of choice for patients requiring elective abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. Long-term outcomes of the 2 approaches are similar, making the relative cost of caring for these patients over time an important consideration. METHODS AND RESULTS We linked Medicare claims to Vascular Quality Initiative registry data for patients undergoing elective EVR or open AAA repair from 2004 to 2015. The primary outcome was Medicare's cumulative disease-related spending, adjusted to 2015 dollars. Disease-related spending included the index operation and associated hospitalization, surveillance imaging, reinterventions (AAA-related and abdominal wall procedures), and all-cause admissions within 90 days. We compared the incidence of disease-related events and cumulative spending at 90 days and annually through 7 years of follow-up. The analytic cohort comprised 6804 EVR patients (median follow-up: 1.85 years; interquartile range: 0.82-3.22 years) and 1889 open repair patients (median follow-up: 2.62 years; interquartile range: 1.13-4.80 years). Spending on index surgery was significantly lower for EVR (median [interquartile range]: $25 924 [$22 280-$32 556] EVR versus $31 442 [$24 669-$40 419] open; P<0.001), driven by a lower rate of in-hospital complications (6.6% EVR versus 38.0% open; P<0.001). EVR patients underwent more surveillance imaging (1.8 studies per person-year EVR versus 0.7 studies per person-year open; P<0.001) and AAA-related reinterventions (4.0 per 100 person-years EVR versus 2.1 per 100 person-years open; P=0.041). Open repair patients had higher rates of 90-day readmission (12.9% EVR versus 17.8% open; P<0.001) and abdominal wall procedures (0.6 per 100 person-years EVR versus 1.5 per 100 person-years open; P<0.001). Overall, EVR patients incurred more disease-related spending in follow-up ($7355 EVR versus $2706 open through 5 years). There was no cumulative difference in disease-related spending between surgical groups by 5 years of follow-up (-$33 EVR [95% CI: -$1543 to $1476]). CONCLUSIONS We observed no cumulative difference in disease-related spending on EVR and open repair patients 5 years after surgery. Generalized recommendations about which approach to offer elective AAA patients should not be based on relative cost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spencer W Trooboff
- Section of General Surgery (S.W.T.), Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH.,VA Quality Scholars Program, Veterans Health Association, White River Junction, VT (S.W.T., J.A.C.).,The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Lebanon, NH (S.W.T., Z.J.W., B.G., J.D.L., P.P.G.)
| | - Zachary J Wanken
- Section of Vascular Surgery (Z.J.W., J.A.C., P.P.G.), Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH.,The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Lebanon, NH (S.W.T., Z.J.W., B.G., J.D.L., P.P.G.)
| | - Barbara Gladders
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Lebanon, NH (S.W.T., Z.J.W., B.G., J.D.L., P.P.G.)
| | - Jesse A Columbo
- Section of Vascular Surgery (Z.J.W., J.A.C., P.P.G.), Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH.,VA Quality Scholars Program, Veterans Health Association, White River Junction, VT (S.W.T., J.A.C.)
| | - Jon D Lurie
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Lebanon, NH (S.W.T., Z.J.W., B.G., J.D.L., P.P.G.)
| | - Philip P Goodney
- Section of Vascular Surgery (Z.J.W., J.A.C., P.P.G.), Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH.,The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Lebanon, NH (S.W.T., Z.J.W., B.G., J.D.L., P.P.G.)
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13
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Li C, Deery SE, Eisenstein EL, Fong ZV, Dansey K, Davidson-Ray L, O'Neal B, Schermerhorn ML. Index and follow-up costs of endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair from the Endurant Stent Graft System Post Approval Study (ENGAGE PAS). J Vasc Surg 2020; 72:886-895.e1. [PMID: 31964574 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2019.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/03/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Trials for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) report lower perioperative mortality and morbidity, but also higher costs compared with open repair. However, few studies have examined the subsequent cost of follow-up evaluations and interventions. Therefore, we present the index and 5-year follow-up costs of EVAR from the Endurant Stent Graft System Post Approval Study. METHODS From August 2011 to June 2012, 178 patients were enrolled in the Endurant Stent Graft System Post Approval Study de novo cohort and treated with the Medtronic Endurant stent graft system (Medtronic Vascular, Santa Rosa, Calif), of whom 171 (96%) consented for inclusion in the economic analysis and 177 participated in the quality-of-life (QOL) assessment over a 5-year follow-up period. Cost data for the index and follow-up hospitalizations were tabulated directly from hospital bills and categorized by Uniform Billing codes. Surgeon costs were calculated by Current Procedural Terminology codes for each intervention. Current Procedural Terminology codes were also used to calculate imaging and clinic follow-up reimbursement as surrogate to cost based on year-specific Medicare payment rates. Additionally, we compared aneurysm-related versus nonaneurysm-related subsequent hospitalization costs and report EuroQol 5D QOL dimensions. RESULTS The mean hospital cost per person for the index EVAR was $45,304 (interquartile range [IQR], $25,932-$44,784). The largest contributor to the overall cost was operating room supplies, which accounted for 50% of the total cost at a mean of $22,849 per person. One hundred patients had 233 additional post index admission inpatient admissions; however, only 32 readmissions (14%) were aneurysm related, with a median cost of $13,119 (IQR, $4570-$24,153) compared with a nonaneurysm-related median cost of $6609 (IQR, $1244-$26,466). Additionally, 32 patients were admitted a total of 37 times for additional procedures after index admission, of which 14 (38%) were aneurysm-related. The median cost of hospitalization for aneurysm-related subsequent intervention was $22,023 (IQR, $13,177-$47,752), compared with a median nonaneurysm-related subsequent intervention cost of $19,007 (IQR, $8708-$33,301). After the initial 30-day visit, outpatient follow-up imaging reimbursement averaged $550 per person per year ($475 for computed tomography scans, $75 for the abdomen), whereas annual office visits averaged $107 per person per year, for a total follow-up reimbursement of $657 per person per year. There were no significant differences in the five EuroQol 5D QOL dimensions at each follow-up compared with baseline. CONCLUSIONS Costs associated with index EVAR are driven primarily by cost of operating room supplies, including graft components. Subsequent admissions are largely not aneurysm related; however, cost of aneurysm-related hospitalizations is higher than for nonaneurysm admissions. These data will serve as a baseline for comparison with open repair and other devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Li
- Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Mass
| | - Sarah E Deery
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | | | - Zhi Ven Fong
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | - Kirsten Dansey
- Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Mass
| | | | - Betsy O'Neal
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC
| | - Marc L Schermerhorn
- Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Mass.
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