Short-Term Concerns Primarily Determine Patient Preference for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Patient-Centered Care
• Qualitative Research Methods

Background:

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair involves open or endovascular approaches.
• Factors influencing patient preference for AAA repair type are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To qualitatively analyze factors influencing patient preference for open versus endovascular AAA repair.
• To understand patient decision-making in AAA repair selection.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis of open-ended patient responses from the Preference for Open Versus Endovascular Repair of AAA Trial.
• Constant comparative method with iterative reviews to identify themes and categories.
• Consensus agreement among three researchers for theme generation and categorization.

Main Results:

• Patient concerns were categorized into short-term, long-term, advice & experience, and other.
• Short-term concerns (post-op complications, recovery, intraoperative issues) were primary influences for most patients.
• Long-term concerns (survival, chronic management) were more prevalent as secondary factors and primary influences for younger patients.

Conclusions:

• Short-term procedural and recovery concerns primarily drive patient preference for AAA repair.
• Long-term concerns become more significant primary factors for younger patients.
• Vascular surgeons should integrate patient-specific concerns into shared decision-making for optimal AAA repair outcomes.