Endovascular versus Open Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Patients with large abdominal aortic aneurysms were assigned to undergo endovascular repair or open surgical repair. Operative mortality was lower with endovascular repair, but at a median of 6 years, there was no significant difference between groups in total mortality or aneurysm-related mortality. There were more graft-related complications and reinterventions with endovascular repair. Patients with large abdominal aortic aneurysms were assigned to undergo either endovascular repair or open surgical repair. Operative mortality was lower with endovascular repair, but at a median of 6 years, there was no significant difference between groups in total mortality or aneurysm-related mortality. Abdominal aortic aneurysm is a common condition of increasing prevalence, particularly among older men. As the size of the aneurysm increases, so does the risk of rupture. Therefore, prophylactic repair with insertion of a prosthetic graft is offered. Since 1951, open surgical repair has been practiced. 1 Minimally invasive endovascular aneurysm repair was first reported in 1986. 2 The three principal randomized trials comparing endovascular and open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm have all shown a marked benefit of endovascular repair with respect to 30-day operative mortality, 3 – 5 and these results have been supported by data from large registries. 6 Therefore, endovascular repair . . .