Clinical evaluation of endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm based on long-term experiences

Introduction
The endovascular method as a less invasive treatment for patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) has become an alternative to conventional open surgery.

Aim
The objective of the present study was to analyse the outcomes of endovascular treatment of AAA patients in long-term observation.

Material and methods
A group of 236 AAA patients subjected to planned endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) between 2010 and 2015 was reviewed. Rates of mortality, surgical complications and re-interventions were collected in the separate time periods, i.e. up to 30 days after surgery, 30 days to 3 years, and from 3 to 5 years after surgery. Cumulative rates of these parameters were evaluated in the short-term (up to 30 days after surgery), medium-term (up to 3 years), and long-term (up to 5 years after surgery) perspective.

Results
The median age of patients was 75 years, and the most common comorbidities were arterial hypertension (54%) and ischaemic heart disease (52%). Cumulative short-, medium- and long-term mortality rates were 2.5%, 14.2% and 28.9%, respectively. Total rates of surgical complications in short-, medium- and long-term observation were 7.6%, 12.6% and 17.5%, respectively. The cumulative rate of re-interventions ranged from 4.2% to 11.4%.

Conclusions
In the consecutive time periods, the increase in the percentage of surgical complications and re-interventions increased gradually, in contrast to mortality, where the curve grew significantly, which is expected due to the aging and numerous comorbidities in the observed group of patients.