Physiological comparison of open and endovascular aneurysm repair

This prospective study compared morbidity and mortality rates following conventional and endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair using a physiological scoring system.

Between December 1994 and November 1997, 104 elective open aneurysm repairs and 49 endovascular aneurysm repairs were performed. These patient cohorts were compared using the Portsmouth predictor equation (P-POSSUM) scoring system. Data collected prospectively from patient notes were used to obtain physiological and operative severity scores which were analysed to compare expected and observed mortality and morbidity rates.

There were three deaths (6 per cent) in the endovascular AAA repair group and 17 (16 per cent) in the conventional aneurysm repair group, whereas the P-POSSUM formulae predicted mortality rates of 8 and 19 per cent respectively. Although the mean physiological scores were similar for both groups (endovascular 20.8 versus conventional 20.1), the operative severity score was significantly greater in the conventional group (26.3 versus 19.7; P < 0.001).

In this study open aortic aneurysm repair had a higher operative severity than endovascular repair, which was reflected in the increased mortality rate.