Editor's Choice - Assessment of International Outcomes of Intact Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair over 9 Years.

BACKGROUND: 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. METHODS: Data on primary AAA repair from vascular surgery registries in 11 countries for the years 2005-2009 and 2010-2013 were analysed. Multivariate adjusted logistic regression analyses were carried out to adjust for variations in case mix. RESULTS: A total of 83,253 patients were included. Over the two periods, the proportion of patients ≥80 years old increased (18.5% vs. 23.1%; p < .0001) as did the proportion of endovascular repair (EVAR) (44.3% vs. 60.6; p < .0001). In the latter period, 25.8% of AAAs were less than 5.5 cm. The mean annual volume of open repairs per centre decreased from 12.9 to 10.6 between the two periods (p < .0001), and it increased for EVAR from 10.0 to 17.1 (p < .0001). Overall, peri-operative mortality fell from 3.0% to 2.4% (p < .0001). Mortality for EVAR decreased from 1.5% to 1.1% (p < .0001), but the outcome worsened for open repair from 3.9% to 4.4% (p = .008). The peri-operative risk was greater for octogenarians (overall, 3.6% vs. 2.1%, p < .0001; open, 9.5% vs. 3.6%, p < .0001; EVAR, 1.8% vs. 0.7%, p < .0001), and women (overall, 3.8% vs. 2.2%, p < .0001; open, 6.0% vs. 4.0%, p < .0001; EVAR, 1.9% vs. 0.9%, p < .0001). Peri-operative mortality after repair of AAAs <5.5 cm was 4.4% with open repair and 1.0% with EVAR, p < .0001. CONCLUSIONS: 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.

Editor's Choice - Carotid Stenosis Treatment: Variation in International Practice Patterns.

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to determine current practice for the treatment of carotid stenosis among 12 countries participating in the International Consortium of Vascular Registries (ICVR). METHODS: Data from the United States Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) and the Vascunet registry collaboration (including 10 registries in Europe and Australasia) were used. Variation in treatment modality of asymptomatic versus symptomatic patients was analysed between countries and among centres within each country. RESULTS: Among 58,607 procedures, octogenarians represented 18% of all patients, ranging from 8% (Hungary) to 22% (New Zealand and Australia). Women represented 36%, ranging from 29% (Switzerland) to 40% (USA). The proportion of carotid artery stenting (CAS) among asymptomatic patients ranged from 0% (Finland) to 26% (Sweden) and among symptomatic patients from 0% (Denmark) to 19% (USA). Variation among centres within countries for CAS was highest in the United States and Australia (from 0% to 80%). The overall proportion of asymptomatic patients was 48%, but varied from 0% (Denmark) to 73% (Italy). There was also substantial centre level variation within each country in the proportion of asymptomatic patients, most pronounced in Australia (0-72%), Hungary (5-55%), and the United States (0-100%). Countries with fee for service reimbursement had higher rates of treatment in asymptomatic patients than countries with population based reimbursement (OR 5.8, 95% CI 4.4-7.7). CONCLUSIONS: Despite evidence about treatment options for carotid artery disease, the proportion of asymptomatic patients, treatment modality, and the proportion of women and octogenarians vary considerably among and within countries. There was a significant association of treating more asymptomatic patients in countries with fee for service reimbursement. The findings reflect the inconsistency of the existing guidelines and a need for cooperation among guideline committees all over the world.

Patient Experiences of Life Years After Severe Civilian Lower Extremity Trauma With Vascular Injury.

OBJECTIVE: Severe lower limb trauma with arterial injury is often devastating for the individual. Many studies describe how to manage these injuries when they occur. Short-term functional outcome is quite well described, but the patients are often young, and their suffering is physical, mental, and social from a lifelong perspective. The aim of this study was to report patient experiences of their lives several years after their accidents, and to explore mechanisms of how to improve management. METHOD: The Swedvasc registry was searched for participants from 1987 to 2011, living in the region of Uppsala, Sweden. Some amputated participants were added from the Walking Rehabilitation Center. There were five reconstructed patients with an intact limb, and three with amputations. In depth interviews were conducted and systematically analyzed, using A Giorgi's descriptive phenomenological method. RESULTS: Eight patients participated, five with reconstructed and three with amputated limbs. Life affecting functional impairments were described by all patients. The patients undergoing amputation had received more structured follow up and support through the Walking Rehabilitation Center. The satisfaction with the cosmetic result was poorer than expected. All patients had developed strategies of how to cope with their impairments and stated they now lived "normal lives." CONCLUSIONS: Despite substantial physical, psychological, and cosmetic impairments years after severe lower limb trauma, the participants described life as "normal" and mainly satisfactory. Transition to the new situation could have been facilitated by more frequent and continuous follow up after discharge from hospital, in particular among the non-amputated patients who tend to be lost to follow up. Findings also indicate that family members have to be acknowledged, strengthened, and supported.

Update on screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm: a topical review.

OBJECTIVES: Serving as the basis for implementation of several national AAA screening programmes, four large randomised controlled trials provided evidence of a reduction in AAA mortality by ultrasound-based screening among elderly men. Recently, reports of falling AAA prevalence and mortality unrelated to AAA screening have emerged, coinciding with major additional epidemiological changes in the population, as well as improvements in AAA repair. These recent changes may individually, and in concert, affect the rationality of AAA screening. The aim of this paper was to present an up-to-date review of AAA-screening within the context of a rapidly changing AAA epidemiology. METHODS: Topical review of the literature focusing mainly on randomised controlled trials, meta-analyses, and contemporary observational AAA-screening studies. CONCLUSIONS: Summarising RCT results and recent studies; contemporary one-time screening of men for AAA appears highly cost-effective, and seems to remain an effective preventive health-measure. However, several issues regarding screening need to be addressed: most importantly; the current degree of incidental detection of AAAs, the threshold diameter for follow-up, targeted screening in risk groups, and the possible need for re-screening in an elderly population with ever increasing longevity.

Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm in 65-year-old men remains cost-effective with contemporary epidemiology and management.

OBJECTIVES: The epidemiology and management of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) has changed significantly, with lower prevalence, increased longevity of patients, increased use of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), and improved outcome. The clinical and health economic effectiveness of one-time screening of 65-year-old men was assessed within this context. METHODS: One-time ultrasound screening of 65-year-old men (invited) versus no screening (control) was analysed in a Markov model. Data on the natural course of AAA (risk of repair and rupture) was based on randomised controlled trials. Screening detected AAA prevalence (1.7%), surgical management (50% EVAR), repair outcome, costs, and long-term survival were based on contemporary population-based data. Incremental cost-efficiency ratios (ICER), absolute and relative risk reduction for death from AAA (ARR, RRR), numbers needed to screen (NNS), and life-years gained were calculated. Annual discounting was 3.5%. RESULTS: In base case at 13-years follow-up the ICER was €14,706 per incremental quality-adjusted life-year (QALY); ARR was 15.1 per 10,000 invited, NNS was 530, and QALYs gained were 56.5 per 10,000 invited. RRR was 42% (from 0.36% in control to 0.21% in invited). In a lifetime analysis the ICER of screening decreased to €7,570/QALY. The parameters with highest impact on the cost-efficiency of screening in the sensitivity analysis were the prevalence of AAA (threshold value <0.5%) and degree of incidental detection in the control cohort. CONCLUSIONS: In the face of recent changes in the management and epidemiology of AAA, screening men for AAA remains cost-effective and delivers significant clinical impact.

Insurance claims after vascular surgery in Sweden.

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to estimate the incidence and causes of insurance claims (IC) after vascular surgery (VS) reported to the Swedish Medical Injury Insurance (SMII); and to validate the registration of complications in the National Vascular Registry (Swedvasc). METHODS: The medical records of all IC in VS in Sweden reported to the SMII 2002-2007 were scrutinised and cross-referenced against Swedvasc. RESULTS: There were 193 claims after VS: varicose-veins (66), lower extremity (45), aortic (31) or carotid artery (21), access (19) or other VS (11). Frequent causes of claims were peripheral nerve injury (76), wound infection (22) and cranial nerve injury (15). More than half of the patients suffered permanent injuries, three died. As many as 55 (28%) received economic compensation (an average of 45% of all ICs in SMII). The highest frequency of compensated claims (1:650 yearly procedures) was for carotid artery surgery. Of the procedures, 187 were elective. Compared with the Swedvasc, claudication was a more common indication (28% vs. 12%). Nearly one-fifth (18%) were incorrectly registered in Swedvasc. CONCLUSIONS: The most common causes of insurance claims were peripheral nerve injuries and infections. Patients raising insurance claims after vascular surgery undergo acute procedures less frequently, and are correctly registered in the Swedvasc in 82% of cases.

Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm among patients referred to the vascular laboratory is cost-effective.

UNLABELLED: Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in high-risk groups has been recommended based on a high prevalence of disease, while being questioned due to a high frequency of co-morbidities and inferior life-expectancy. We evaluated the long-term outcome and the cost-effectiveness of selective AAA screening among patients referred to the vascular laboratory for arterial examination. METHODS: A total of 5,924 patients, referred to the vascular laboratory of a university hospital, were screened for AAA with ultrasound (definition: slashed circle>or=30 mm), 1993-2005. Outcome data were gathered through hospital records and the national population registry. A Markov model was used for health-economic evaluation. RESULTS: An AAA was detected in 181 patients (mean age 72.8 years), of whom 21.5% underwent elective repair (perioperative mortality 5.1%) after 7.5 years of follow-up. Four of six patients diagnosed with AAA rupture were operated upon. Relative 5-year survival compared with the general Swedish population, controlled for age and sex, was 80.4% (95% confidence interval (CI): 70.8-88.8). The cost-effectiveness was robust in base-case (11,084 Euro/life year gained) and in sensitivity analyses of prevalence, cost and survival. CONCLUSIONS: Patients in whom AAA was detected at selective screening had inferior long-term survival and were operated on less frequently, compared with AAA patients described in previous studies. Yet, selective screening at the vascular laboratory was cost-effective.

Popliteal artery aneurysm: epidemiology and modern management.

PAA is a predominantly male disease, more than 90% of affected patients are men. Risk factors for amputation are poor run-off, use of a synthetic graft, emergency treatment and high age. The frequency of amputation decreased over time in Sweden, which was associated with increased use of preoperative thrombolysis and fasciotomy. Thrombolysis can transform an emergent into an elective situation, and often improves out-flow. The risk of late amputation is low. Operation with a Posterior approach is associated with lower risk of late expansion, and is considered first choice of treatment when a short by-pass is sufficient. Multiple aneurysm disease is common among patients with PAA, in particular among those with bilateral PAA. All patients, irrespective of age, should be included in a life-long surveillance program. Normal arterial segments should be re-examined after three years.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm--to screen or not to screen.

With the ten WHO criteria for a screening program to be started, screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm is analyzed. Most of the criteria are fulfilled concerning the 65-year old male population, whereas concerning females we need more knowledge. Still the aneurysmal diameter is the most important factor to select patients for treatment meaning that many aneurysms are treated where rupture should never have occurred. Research projects giving more information on pathophysiological processes behind expansion and rupture should have priority.