Editor's Choice - Trend-break in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair With Decreasing Surgical Workload.

BACKGROUND

The epidemiology and management of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) has changed drastically in the past decades, with implementation of nationwide screening programs, introduction of endovascular repair (EVAR), and reduced prevalence of the disease. This report aims to assess recent trends in AAA repair epidemiology in Sweden in this context.

METHODS

Primary AAA repairs registered in the nationwide Swedish Vascular Registry (Swedvasc) 1994-2014 were analyzed regarding patient characteristics, repair incidence, technique, and outcome. Four time periods were compared: 1994-1999, 2000-2004, 2005-2009, and 2010-2014.

RESULT

The incidence of intact AAA repair increased (18.4/100,000 1994-1999, 27.3/100,000 2010-2014, p < .001) predominantly among octogenarians (12.7/100,000 1994-1999, 36.0/100,000 2010-2014, p < .001). The utilization of EVAR increased (58% of all intact AAA repairs 2010-2014), especially among octogenarians (80% 2010-2014). During the last time period, however, the incidence of intact AAA repair stabilized, despite an increasing number of screening-detected AAAs operated on (19% in 2010-2014). Short- and long-term outcome after intact AAA repair continued to improve, most pronounced among octogenarians (30-day mortality 9% 1994-1999, 2% 2010-2014, p < .001). The incidence of ruptured AAA repair steadily decreased (9.2/100,000 1994-1999, 6.9/100,000 2010-2014, p < .001) and the use of EVAR for ruptures increased (30% in 2010-2014). The previously observed improvement of short- and long-term outcome after ruptured AAA repair (30-day mortality 38% 1994-1999, 28% 2010-2014, p < .001) stalled during the last time period. The overall 30-day mortality after ruptured AAA repair was 22% after EVAR versus 31% after open repair in 2010-2014. The corresponding mortality for octogenarians was 28% versus 42%.

CONCLUSIONS

For the first time, a halt in intact AAA repair workload could be identified. This trend-break occurred despite continued increase in treatment of octogenarians and screening-detected aneurysms. Additionally, the ruptured AAA repair incidence continued to decrease. These findings, together with the sustained improvement in survival after AAA repair, may have important impact on planning of vascular surgical services.