Quality of life assessment in patients undergoing endovascular or conventional AAA repair

Purpose, To compare health-related quality of life outcomes in a cohort of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) patients treated concurrently with either a conventional or endoluminal intervention. Methods: Between December 1997 and April 1999, 51 AAA patients treated by e ither open or endovascular techniques were enrolled in this prospective stu dy. Conventional therapy was performed in 26 patients (19 men; mean age 70. 4 +/- 6.0 years) with anatomical features unsuitable for the endovascular a pproach. Twenty-five patients (23 men; mean age 70.7 +/- 7.2 years) underwe nt endoluminal AAA exclusion using either the Ancure or bifurcated Enduring stent-grafts. The Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36-item health survey was administered preoperatively and at 1, 4, 8, and greater than or equal t o 52 weeks after discharge. Results: At 1 week, both groups showed significant reductions (p < 0.001) i n mean Scores compared to baseline in 4 dimensions (physical function, soci al function, role-physical, and vitality), but the decline was more pronoun ced in patients having open repair. Endoluminal patients returned to their baseline scores by the 4th postoperative week, whereas complete recovery to baseline in the conventional patients was delayed to the 8th week. Conclusions: Patients treated endoluminally exhibit better physical and fun ctional scores as early as 1 week after discharge; they also return to base line status significantly earlier than the conventional group. These findin gs document the perceived advantage of endovascular therapy over convention al AAA treatment.