Mortality variability after endovascular versus open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in a large tertiary vascular center using a Medicare-derived risk prediction model

Objective: Previous reports have documented better outcomes after open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair in tertiary centers compared with lower-volume hospitals, but outcome variability for endovascular AAA repair (EVAR) vs open AAA repairs in a large tertiary center using a Medicare-derived mortality risk prediction model has not been previously reported. In the current study, we compared the observed vs predicted mortality after EVAR and open AAA repair in a single large tertiary vascular center. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed all patients who underwent repair of a nonruptured infrarenal AAA in our center from 2003 to 2012. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to evaluate 30-day mortality. Patients were stratified into low-risk, medium-risk, and high-risk groups, and mortality was predicted for each patient based on demographics and comorbidities according to the Medicare risk prediction model. Results: We analyzed 297 patients (EVAR, 72%; open AAA repair, 28%; symptomatic, 25%). Most of our patients were of high and moderate risk (48% and 28%, respectively). The observed 30-day mortality was 1.9% after EVAR vs 2.4% after open repair (odds ratio [OR], 0.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.14-4.29; P = .67). There was no difference in mortality with EVAR vs open repair after adjusting for predefined patient characteristics (OR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.16-7.43; P = .93); only preoperative renal disease was predictive of 30-day mortality after AAA repair in our cohort (OR, 8.39; 95% CI, 1.41-67.0). The observed mortality within our study was significantly lower than the Medicare-derived expected mortality for each treatment group within patients stratified as high risk or medium risk (P <= .0002 for all). Conclusions: Despite treating patients with high preoperative risk status, we report a 10-fold decrease in operative mortality for EVAR and open AAA repair in a tertiary vascular center compared with national Medicare-derived predictions. High-risk patients should be considered for aneurysm management in dedicated aortic centers, regardless of approach.