Lower benefit and higher total costs because of unrestricted use of endovascular repair procedures for treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms
Lindholt, J.S.; Søgaard, R.; Laustsen, J.
Ugeskrift for Laeger 176(31): 1371-1374
2014
ISSN/ISBN: 1603-6824 PMID: 25292322 Document Number: 672435
A rapid increase in endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) procedures for treatment of asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysms has occurred in Denmark. However, the newest level 1A evidence suggests that unrestricted use of EVAR in patients suitable for open repair lead to lower benefit and higher total costs as compared with open surgery. Amongst cases with relative and absolute contraindications for open surgery, use of EVAR is likely to lead to more benefit, however at a relatively high cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY). This calls for a more restrictive use.