Endovascular vs. Open Repair of AAA: Midterm Findings

The randomized EVAR-1 trial from the U.K. documented a significantly lower all-cause postoperative mortality rate with endovascular repair than with open repair (1.7% vs. 4.7%) . . .

The randomized EVAR-1 trial from the U.K. documented a significantly lower all-cause postoperative mortality rate with endovascular repair than with open repair (1.7% vs. 4.7%) of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) that were at least 5.5 cm in diameter (Journal Watch Cardiology Nov 19 2004). Now, researchers present 4-year findings for the 1082 EVAR-1 subjects (mean age, 74; median AAA diameter, 6.2 cm), who were eligible for either type of repair, and from 338 subjects in EVAR-2 (mean age, 76; median AAA diameter, 6.4 cm), who were randomized to undergo endovascular repair or no intervention because comorbidities precluded open surgery.

In EVAR-1 (median follow-up, 2.9 years), the endovascular- and open-repair groups had similar estimated 4-…

Reviewing Author

Beat J. Meyer, MD