European journal of vascular and endovascular surgery : the official journal of the European Society for Vascular Surgery
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Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg · Jul 2017
The Consequences of Real Life Practice of Early Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair: A Cost-Benefit Analysis.
The reported 54 mm median intervention diameter for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in the Vascular Quality Initiative and European data from the Pharmaceutical Aneurysm Stabilisation Trial (PHAST) implies that in real life the majority of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repairs occur at diameters smaller than the consensus intervention threshold of 55 mm. This study explores the potential consequences of this practice. ⋯ In the real life situation a large proportion of EVAR procedures appear to occur before reaching the consensus threshold. Although this reduces mortality, it comes at a cost of approximately 1 million USD per prevented rupture related death.
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Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg · Jul 2017
Multicenter StudyEditor's Choice - Assessment of International Outcomes of Intact Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair over 9 Years.
Case mix and outcomes of complex surgical procedures vary over time and between regions. This study analyses peri-operative mortality after intact abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair in 11 countries over 9 years. ⋯ In this large international cohort, total peri-operative mortality continues to fall for the treatment of intact AAAs. The number of EVAR procedures now exceeds open procedures. Mortality after EVAR has decreased, but mortality for open operations has increased. The peri-operative mortality for small AAA treatment, particularly open surgical repair, is still considerable and should be weighed against the risk of rupture.
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Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg · Jul 2017
Assessment of Competence in EVAR Procedures: A Novel Rating Scale Developed by the Delphi Technique.
To develop a procedure specific global rating scale for assessment of operator competence in endovascular aortic repair (EVAR). ⋯ The Delphi methodology allowed for international consensus on a new procedure specific global rating scale for assessment of competence in EVAR. The resulting scale, EndoVascular Aortic Repair Assessment of Technical Expertise (EVARATE), represents key elements in the procedure. EVARATE constitutes an assessment tool for providing structured feedback to endovascular operators in training.