What randomized controlled trials tell us about endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms.
Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has been a revolutionary development in the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). However, EVAR has been rapidly embraced by both physicians and patients despite the paucity of Level I evidence demonstrating the long-term benefit of EVAR. The result of the two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing EVAR versus open repair for the treatment of AAAs has provided some insight to the questions surrounding the utility of EVAR. The data and conclusions of these EVAR-related RCTs are briefly reviewed and discussed in this manuscript.
Matsumoto
Alan H
AH
Department of Radiology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA. ahm4d@cms.mail.virginia.edu
D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012107:Research Design; D015607:Stents