Treatment of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in Nine Countries 2005–2009: A Vascunet Report

Objectives: To study contemporary treatment and outcome of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair in nine countries. Design and methods: Data on primary AAA repairs 2005e2009 were amalgamated from national and regional vascular registries in Australia, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK. Primary outcome was in-hospital or 30-day mortality. Multi- variate logistic regression was used to assess case-mix. Results: 31,427 intact AAA repairs were identified, mean age 72.6 years (95% CI 72.5e72.7). The rate of octogenarians and use of endovascular repair (EVAR) increased over time (p < 0.001). EVAR varied between countries from 14.7% (Finland) to 56.0% (Australia). Overall perioperative mortality after intact AAA repair was 2.8% (2.6e3.0) and was stable over time. The perioperative mortality rate varied from 1.6% (1.3e1.8) in Italy to 4.1% (2.4e7.0) in Finland. Increasing age, open repair and presence of comorbidities were associated with outcome.